Best currency for trip to china.

Hedge

Hedge

Hedge

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What currency should my Mam take to china with her?

American Dollars or Pounds Sterling?.

Is there a benefit of using one over the other, My mam just asked me to "Ask the people i chat to on the net if they know"

Would appreciate some experienced input.

Thanks guys.
 
I've only ever taken Chinese Yuan (RMB), I can't imagine sterling will be an use at all, dollars might be ok for bribes :p.

If she's just going to the cities take a card as well (They do have cash machines!), much better than carrying a load of dosh around ;)
 
Jaap74 said:
bags of rice ?
Click to expand...

Why would you take a bag of rice to a country that has the most rice in the world? lets take snow to the north pole...

My parents has been back a few times... usally they go with 20 % USD, 20% Good old Sterling and 60% Yen. Its worth taking both as sometimes you get a better deal with one more than the other. If shes going to Hong Kong theres shouldn't be any issues at all... most major banks are there.
 
I didn't take anything except a credit card. Bank machines to take out Yuan on every 2nd street just like everywhere else in the world :)

Unless your going way off the beaten track I guess but any major town will be no worries.
 
Since i'm guessing she would be converting money over there, I suggest dollars over pounds. Was there only in easter, and took dollars with me. Friend of mine had pounds. No real hassle, and the exchange place we used in the hotel took both, but they refused to take the new 20 pound note which my friend had. Only accepted that in the main Bank of China.

If you're converting money over there, I do suggest dollars over pounds. Less hassle, and if you ever need (had to once) small shops accept dollars as well and at a decent exchange rate. Dollar is the most international currency.

As for drawing out money there, tis fairly easy to do yes, but you do lose out since the bank will charge you for drawing out.
 
I'm told that there's one particular RMB bank note that is basically worthless, and that shops/restaurants etc always try and fob theirs off onto foreigners and then won't accept it themselves. Unfortunately I don't know which one it is - anyone know?
 
Sorry ive been away from forums all night.

I think she was under the impression its hard to get chinese currency from most places over here.

Think she said not many places do it.

Or something like that?
 
Easy, just get it online via travelex and pick up the notes at the airport :)

If she's not going that soon it's worth getting a Nationwide bank account and/or CC as they don't charge a fee for foreign transactions/withdrawls which makes them the travellers friend :)
 
Don't know about Travelex, but as far as I know, most banks here stock only US Dollars, UK Pounds and Euros. So she would be right about not many places stocking it.
 
You will have to pre-order the Yuan from the bank. The reason why we always take USD and Steerling is cause we dont want to take a large number on notes in Yuan when you can take a few USD/Steetling and treat them like travellers cheques.
 
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