[Idyllchat] China

[Mitchell S. Baltuch]

Hi Carol,

You won't need much US cash.  I typically travel with $100 and that is 
just in case I want something in a US airport during a layover.  For the 
most part, I use my debit card.  ATM's in China are easy to find and 
most work with international debit cards.  One thing to watch is if you 
have only a check card, as opposed to a check/debit card.  The check 
cards won't always work.  I have rarely had a problem with a debit card.

Both 4 and 6 digit PINs are common, although 6 seem to work better.  If 
you have a 4 digit PIN and it doesn't work, try adding two leading 0's 
(e.g. 001234).

Get cash as you need.  Unless you are really going on a shopping spree, 
or eating western, RMB 1500 will hold you for at least a week, or two.  
Chinese restaurants are really cheap.  The little noodle and dumpling 
shops are extremely cheap and usually pretty good.

Hope this helps.  Feel free to send me any other questions you have.

Mitch (who is heading back to China in January)

Mitchell S. Baltuch
Mountain Storm Fine Arts
mbaltuch at mountainstorm.com
http://www.mountainstorm.com



Carol Dalseth wrote:
> I know many of you have made trips to China, especially Mitch.  Can 
> you advise us on the amount of cash we should take for 3 weeks?  We 
> are also spending a couple of nights in Kyoto, Japan.  We will have 
> our debit/ATM card and also charge as much as we can to our American 
> Express card, using Visa for backup.  We can get Traveler's Checks if 
> necessary, but would prefer to use local currency and credit cards.  
> At least 75% of our meals are included and we are not big shoppers.  
> We will be going to Kyoto, Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Yangtze 
> River Cruise, Guilin,  and Hong Kong.  Will we have problems finding ATMs?
>  
> Advice?
>  
>  
> Thanks,
> Carol
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