We are doing a tour, and wonder if there are ATM's for local $, and also if locals willingly take US $? We are going to Beijing, cruise, Xian, Shanghai. Thanks in advance.

THEY HAVE MONEY THERE????

Ummmm are you aware that China is not part of the US?

Asking this question in the Asia forum would probably yield better results.

All the shops in Chinatown (which one?) accepted my US$

Well, would you willingly take Chinese currency as payment in the United States?

Fortunately, there's no need to enter China bearing bundles of US$: the Chinese have ATMs in abundance, although they don't dispense "local $" but yuan, exchange rate about 8 to the US$. Check with your bank that your debit card will work overseas, though, and at which Chinese banks' ATMs.

It's always best to use the local currency. You should never expect people in other countries to take the US$, but if they do, you can bet they are adding a nice bonus for themselves into the exchange. I think this is OK because they have to go to the time and trouble of exchanging your currency for one they can use.

To our non-American friends: I know it must sound strange to you when someone asks a question like this, so please allow me to explain where this presumption comes from. The US$ is widely accepted throughout North America and the Caribbean islands, although usually not at a good exchange. But that's why Americans who have not traveled abroad will mistakenly presume that the dollar is universal. They know they've used it out of the country before, (meaning N. America/Caribbean) so they just don't realize that it doesn't work in every part of the world.

Gamorris, I hope you enjoy China.