I will be going to China for a few days on business next month and I want to get some currency before I go (or, at a pinch, when I arrive).
All my expenses are being met but I would like to have some 'walking around money', just in case I see something I like, or I get hungry, that sort of thing.
I am not an enthusiast of getting fleeced by the Aussie banks or at the airport exchanges, and in the past I have been able to exchange currency in other Asian countries (Malaysia, Vietnam) without getting ripped off.
I am only after about A$100 worth.
Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Advice on Getting Chinese RMB
branners on 19/10/2017 - 12:21
Comments
For $100 worth, just use an ATM. Even if you get "fleeced" $10, is it really worth your time and effort for this saving?
Yep, that is kind of the reason for this website…
Why don’t you just get a Citibank card and pay by debit card ?
Seems like a lot of bother to go to for 4 days travel
So is going somewhere to find the right deal to get cash out.
It’s so much easier to pay by card. All the places that are “cash only” in 2017 are usually evading the tax man
"All… usually"? Why should he care if a Beijing street hawker is paying taxes?
ATM when you arrive at destination airport.
Here's the problem. I arrive at 9pm on a Friday night and if the ATM eats my card, I am screwed.
regardless of what time you arrive, if an ATM eats your card then you're screwed anyway.
order a second card
That's a risk whenever you use your card, bring a real creditcard just in case.
Q: Advice on Getting Chinese RMB?
A: ask a chineseThanks, hence my post in the first place.
Just go to your nearest university campus and hold up a small cardboard sign saying "need to change $A for RMB". You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a Chinese student happy to help out.
No idea where the nearest university is, and I speak no Mandarin or Shanghainese, so it's hard to ask. I only know where the airport, hotel and 'office' is…
For $100 worth you should just get some from Chinatown or your local bank/currency exchange. The rate won't be great but you won't lose much on $100 and you want this as emergency cash so you don't have much choice. Withdraw on arrival with Citibank Plus Debit card if you're serious about not being fleeced.
Go to a small currency exchange shop in a Chinatown (or shopping mall) if you only want 500 RMB - which isn't very much at all. That should let you eat for a 3 days depending on whether you go to a western food outlet (ie, starbucks, mcd's) or longer if you want to eat dumplings, buns and fried bread sticks from a street vendor.
I'm not sure what your circumstances are, but if you're getting collected from the airport by one of your company reps, the rep should at least give you a small amount of money for food (probably comes off your first pay cheque) and a ride to your accommodation. They should really also get a bank card or something too.
Enjoy the air!
citibank - ATM. never had a problem in china/singapore/malaysia/japan/NZ etc. also reasonably close to spot rate within 2-3%, much better than your airport forex or cash rate at banks
Most hotels have money exchange , and some even have a machine that takes card or cash for a small charge.
Most decent hotels in China (4 and 5 star) offer currency exchange and without fees - Its China!
You can also withdraw at a China ATM without any fees these too being located in most 4 and 5 star hotels and every 2nd corner. Easy peasyGetting hungry is interesting in China.
Dont expect any English/Chinese menus.
Dont expect to recognise what the photo of the dish is or that food is displayed in any logical order.
Dont expect anyone to talk english or understand sign language or animal noises.
Oh so much fun grabbing a meal in China - a real adventureI expect that Chinese tourists say pretty much the same thing about getting hungry in Australia. It's all part of the fun of experiencing other cultures. The main difference is that in China, food is so cheap that if you accidentally order pig intestines, you can just order something else.
By the way, pig intestines taste like $hit!
After spending a year in Beijing, it appeared that it was better to go to a trusted/legitimate exchange in China - the rate was the same and I could count on not getting counterfeit notes. I also changed money in Perth and there was very little difference in rates - and I was changing thousands not $100. Also make sure you change for low denominations rather than 100 yuan ect. And watch the taxi scams with an eagle eye!
Are you in Melbourne? If so, WeXchang (used to be called Anying) give good rates. They have a location in the CBD or Box Hill