Money

Credit Cards: Credit cards are only accepted at major hotels and major brand shops and department stores. Expect to pay in cash.

Travellers Cheques: Changing money can be done in a number of ways. Most hotels will have a foreign exchange service and will exchange cash and travellers’ cheques. As with hotels everywhere, the exchange rate will not be the official bank rate. Most large banks will exchange money and travellers’ cheques.

It is a requirement that you produce your passport to complete the transaction. Banks will only accept foreign bank notes that are undamaged. Notes that are even slightly torn will be rejected.

Travellers’ cheques can be a secure solution if travelling for a longer time.

ATM withdrawals : Credit/Debit card are possible at the main branches of the Bank of China in each city. A small fee is charged by the Bank and charges are also applied by the bank/credit card provider.

Only use ATM's that display the Visa and MasterCard symbols. An English menu will appear when you insert your card. The exchange rate that is applicable through ATM's is good and this can be a very convenient way to organize your money. Locations for ATM's are available from your card issuer.

Limits for withdrawals on each transaction differ but £200per transaction is common.

Always carry some small denomination cash (5,10,20 Yuan) because if you use larger notes there is a small risk that you will be given counterfeit notes in your change at some of the markets or local stalls

For general costs at the time of writing (June 2010) the exchange rate is approx £1 = 10 RMB