Yes but you are comparing weak economies to one with a strong currency. They could not care less for US$ in China. Some markets will reluctantly accept them at a bad exchange rate. They can't pay their rent with US$ so need to waste precious time lining up at the bank to exchange them.

i had 2 chinese taxi drivers give me dollar bills. they did not want any $$ for them... i of course gave them R...

sure in cambodia, laos and other weak currency countries the "stable" US dollar is welcome, but as JPD points out their currency is almost worthless outside their country.

"one can’t necessarily assume that payment in the currency of the land is always the only option"

True. But it's the minority case. In default of some good reason to the contrary (currency controls, fragile economy), you can expect to use the currency of the country. Unless you're in a cruise port, and are willing to accept a lousy exchange rate.

I certainly didn't expect to use anything other than yuan when in China. And as a rule, I would think one should expect to pay in the currency of the land - that's why I was surprised by my experiences in the Yucatan, BiH, and Croatia. It's just that I prefer to acknowledge that there are exceptions when someone who is just beginning to think of the possibility of traveling independently in China asks what I assume was an honest (if ill-informed) question.

WOW...WOW!,,, what a beautiful and extensive report!!! I have just spent hours reading every word in this whole report and all the wonderful replies! Very inspirational and unique style of travel and experiences. I am planning our trip for two couples and am so inspired by your travels. Thank you for sharing your experiences and for embracing the wierd and wonderful aspects of this culturally different country.

> myleia

And wow to you for making it through my ridiculously long missive! I appreciate your kind words and am pleased to think that my report seemed helpful to you. I certainly found much to treasure and enjoy in my journey to China. I wish you well with your planning and hope your travels bring you many rewards.

I'm reading your trip report -- thanks -- it's really interesting and helpful. Not finished yet, but I'll read it all and take notes.

Thanks, TorontoSue!

Read some more, kja. You're a wonderful writer. I can't read it all in a few sittings, but I will finish it, because there's so much valuable information. From other Fodorites, too. Thanks again for taking the time to do such a wonderful trip report. It must be nice for you to have such a great diary, too.

Thanks for the kind words, TorontoSue! It is definitely a long report, so I'm glad you are finding it useful. I was very fortunate to have a lot of help from some generous and knowledgeable Fodorites - my trip was much richer than it would have been without them.

thanks

Thank you, JuliannPM! I hope you enjoy your time in China.

Thank you for such an extensive report!!!!
I do have a question about "negotiating" the prices when you purchase something. Do they bicker in Chinese or English? I am learning Mandarin for our trip BUT can only say up to $10 in Chinese!!!!!!!! Thanks, Carol

Thanks, clove, and congratulations for making it through my LONG missive!

I wouldn't worry about bargaining -- if you find yourself trying to bargain with someone who doesn't know the English words for numbers, pull out a piece of paper and proceed in writing -- everyone with whom I worked knew Arabic numerals. As I recall, most hotel staff and sellers in major tourist destinations (e.g., Beijing, Xi'an, Pingyao) knew enough English to give me confidence in their numbers, and sellers in most other places seemed to know enough that I rarely resorted to my very few words of Mandarin (although I thought that being able to count to 10 did help). Any time it mattered, I confirmed a price in writing using Arabic numerals.

Hope that helps!

I, too, used pencil and paper for some things, but I found that many vendors had calculators.

Oh yes, the ubiquitous calculators. I had almost forgetten them!

No need for pencil/paper, vendors all have calculators (and cell phones) now. It might be helpful to remember some conversion numbers, i.e. 10rmb is roughly $1.64, 50rmb is $8.12, 61rmb is $10 ......

I find it easier to remember to divide by an appropriate constant (in this case, to divide by about 6) then to remember conversion rates, but maybe that's just me.

kja - my first trip the constant was 8...

Oh my, thursdaysd! I think the constant for converting RMB to USD was 7 when I was there, but it could have been 6.... In any case, Shanghainese raises a good point that it helps to be able to rapidly estimate costs in one's own currency.