I understand that it seems to be suggested to bring a mix of traveller's checks, use a ATM card and cash to China. How much do you suggest for a 2 week trip where the hotels are prepaid and most of the tours? We still need to pay for most meals for 4, taxis on our own, and shopping. I know it's a very individual thing, but I'm at a loss as to how much to bring. The airlines to and from US and all the internal air is also pre-paid.
Thanks!

Did you pay for the guide?

Most of the guides are pre-paid. We have a few free times where we might hire a guide/transportation via the hotel.

This is a very difficult question to answer. I've been to Beijing twice. As suggested, each time I brought along my ATM card, some travelers checks and some cash. On the first trip I cashed a couple checks in the hotel (maybe $200 US)and spent another $150 or so on tours for me and my daughter. Next trip, I never used any checks or cash -- only the ATM card for withdrawals of maybe $500 for a two week trip! I think my husband and I had brought a total of $500 in travelers checks and $500 in cash on that trip, and we returned home with it all, but we were glad to have something to fall back on in case of "emergency". Meals, transportation and shopping were very inexpensive. Approximately $2 for a taxi ride, 36 cents for the subway, $2-5 for a meal per person, lots of trinkets and souvenir gifts for about $1-2 each. I understand that admission costs to the various parks and tourist sights have gone up quite a bit since last year. Be safe and allow up to $10 each for these, if they are not included with your pre-paid tour. Of course, you will be using renminbi, not dollars. for everything!

We used our ATM cards, although we did take some yuan with us (how we got it is a long and irrelevant story).

First chance you get, preferably at the airport, hit the ATM so you'll have some spending money to kick off with. You may even want to get hold of some yuan before you leave. No doubt you won't get as good an exchange rate as the ATM will give you, but as you're not dealing in vast sums the difference won't amount to much.

First check with your bank that the card will work OK, and at which Chinese banks (ours was good for Bank of China branches, which are everywhere). For most people, travellers' cheques have gone the way of black vinyl LPs, but some still use them to buy a little peace of mind.

Never, of course, rely on just one ATM card - yesterday I spoke to a work colleague whose one and only card was eaten by an ATM during her visit to the US - that was a real cautionary tale.

Hmmm, thanks for the info. There appears to be a difference of opinion on Traveler's checks. Some say the traveler's checks get a little higher exchange rate than cash and others agree with the post from Neil. It's just nice to have something to fall back on that is replenishable if lost or stolen.

Now, I'm not sure how to find out if my debit/ATM card will work in China. I've asked my bank about fees incurred and they don't know internationally. That seems to be a common answer to many questions about China when I ask if I can use it there and what are the fees?

The thing I'm concerned about relying totally on ATM cards it the problem with 4 vs 6 digit ones and some machines not taking the card. That would be a tough spot. I may just get a nominal amount of RMB before we leave just to use immediately once we arrive.

The visa ATM locator shows many in Beijing and Shanghai, and my bank tells me that a four digit pin will work anywhere. Ill find out in 2 weeks.

Not to put to fine a point on it, LiC, your bank's response sounds bloody hopeless - don't their customers ever travel? I don't blame you for being a bit nervous, but I'll bet someone in the bowels of their head office knows the answer. Maybe they were off sick when you called.

From memory I got the info I needed from our bank's website, but may have phoned their toll-free number to confirm a point. We've withdrawn cash with our bank and credit union cards, using our Australian 4-digit PIN, in the US, China, Vietnam and New Zealand with no problems. Maybe if you asked them if you can use the card at any ATM bearing the Cirrus or Maestro international ATM network logos?

You need cash for many purchases, meals etc. in China, unless you only patronise your hotel's restaurant, gift shop etc (in which case there's not much point in going there) - credit card facilities are not terribly widespread "on the street".

My husband, my daughter and I have all used our 4-number PIN at banks in Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok. We have had no problems. I did check with our bank also, before our first trip, and their response was "if you see the same symbol as on your card, it will work". They seemed rather flippant to me, but they were right!

Also remember, in case something does happen to your ATM card, you may be able to use a credit card in the same manner. It will cost your more, but it will enable you to withdraw cash. Be sure to know the PIN that goes with that card too, just in case.

Rather than get foreign currency ahead of time, this is what I do. After I pass through immigration, I head toward the restroom to freshen up, and during the few minutes I'm in there, the crowds seem to disappear. Next I head to either the ATM machines or the exchange counters (almost all airports have plenty of both). If I receive only large bills, I next head to a refreshment counter for a bottle or two of water and some small change in return. Then I get in the short public taxi line out front -- and off I go! This seems to work everytime!

But my best tip to you in this -- relax and enjoy your trip. China is a wonderful place to visit! You will be amazed by what you see.

I took Neil's comments to heart and called my bank AGAIN. This time they gave me another number to call. They said that since China is not a "high risk" country, I can go ahead and use the ATM card there. I repeatedly asked to try to convert some money to RMB. They kept saying they can't, but I kept pursuing since they said they could before. They are now processing it. The exchange rate is bad (about 7) and also a $6-8 fee imposed. I just wanted a little hand money if we had to pay someone right when we got there.
Thanks for your best tip at the end of your post!

Thanks, OJudy for the advice. I did check into our credit cards (Visa) who said they would charge a 3% charge for anything charged overseas. Now, the debit/ATM/credit card said they wouldn't charge any fee to use as a charge card. But none of them were sure. They said to use the ATM card there to get cash would probably incur a charge, but they had no idea what that was. To get a cash advance with a Visa card would incur an immediate daily interest until it was paid off, plus a 6% fee.

A hint I got somewhere suggested using your ATM card at a bank during opening hours in case there was a problem. I have used mine in a number of countries without any problem. It is very handy!

We have been to China twice in the last four years. The first trip the hotels cashed traveler's checks for us. The second trip ATM machines were easy to find.

But to be on the safe side, we get some yuan before we go. Yes, the exchange rate isn't good, but some times the ATM isn't working at the airport. We take ATM, Visa and traveler's checks because we like to be prepared.

As to how much money to take, it depends on how much shopping you plan to do. On our last trip, every thing was included except airport fees and tips. Two women on the tour each spent over $1000 shopping. So keep those shopping trips in mind when calculating your money needs.