Tips for Trip to China

[helen]

I am planning to go to my village area in June, from New Zealand. Flying Auckland to HK, then immediately from HK To Beijing. Can someone tell me where I can pre-purchase Rmbs? Can I get it from New Zealand? Or do I have to buy some in Hong Kong, at the airport - bearing in mind I'll be in transit. Or buy some in Beijing? I was hoping to get some cash before I left.
Can I trust online tours? ie pay on line? Is there a company you have used?

[douglaslam]

Helen,
Since I had never visited NZ, therefore I don't know how money exchangers operate over there. Anyway, you should be able to exchange a small amount before departure, then just take NZ currency with you ( in large notes), and look for say the Bank Of China branches in Beijing, then convert to RMB. I found the rates were favourable, and convenient. That's how I did it last time when we went to Beijing just 12 months ago. If you venture outside the confines of HK Airport, you can get good rates at any of the small exchangers specialise in RMB.

In the village, there are always people looking for foreign currency, they offer even better rates. Do it only through a trusted relative, it is not for the uninitiated as fake notes abound.

My family spent 16 full days in Beijing, we did not join any tour. But we did get help from a friend via the internet before departure. You'll be swamped by tour touts thrusting flyers in your hand at Beijing. My wife and I can read Chinese, but our spoken Mandarin was bloody awful.

Have fun, things will sort themselves out once you are there.

Douglas

[laohuaqiao]

There are currency exchange bureaus in Beijing and HK airports. I don't think it's necessary to buy any rmbs ahead in NZ. The exchange rates in China are probably better than HK and both better that at NZ. HK airport is huge, so less your transition time is well more than an hour, you might be some what pressed for time.

There are bank ATMs in airports and in all big cities. Withdrawals from ATMs offer better rates than cash exchange, in banks or currency exchange bureaus, but find out from your bank any foreign exchange or outside network service fees. If your bank has branches or a banking partner in China, the banking fees are usually waived when you use their services. For example, HSBC has bank branches and ATMs in large cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, etc. and can be located online; Bank of America is a banking partner of China Construction Bank.

The last time I've heard of it, maximum daily withdrawal from ATMs in China was 20,000 yuan.

In any case, I have not used traveler's checks in China in recent years.

[Henry]

Hi Helen,

Laohuaqiao has provided you with some excellent advice that I can confirm with my 30 plus trips to China.

I would like to add that forget about trying to get RMB outside of China - the banks that I had asked about this all told ne that there was no "conversion" fee, but, it is really bundled into their exchange rate - I think it was up around 8 or 9 % - no thank you.

Also, I have made the mistake of using the wrong VISA card - I do not like paying a $25 USD fee for withdrawing $50 USD from an ATM in China. I now have a VISA card that there is no transaction fee. There is a local ATM fee which is a dollar or less. before you leave home, I suggest "unblocking" the credit cards that you intend to use overseas. Please tell them to unblock for both China and for Hong Kong - for banks, they are two separate entities.

I usually use the ATM machine at the Beijing Airport - so, I will have some cash to pay the taxi. If you are being met and transferred by a tour company - you can wait until you arrive at the hotel. The hotels now have ATM machines in the lobby and of course they will exchange money for you. Surprisingly, the last couple times I was in Beijing, the hotel rate was equal to the bank rate. Oh, there are many banks in China that will only exchange foreign currency if you have an account and once, I think I had to pay an exchange fee - but, usually, like banls in America - they bundle the conversion fee into their exchange rate.

In 1987 I had to convert USD into "tourist" money to spend in Beijing and had to convert it back before leaving. At that time, people in China were not allowed to have USD in their possession - it was a serious offense if caught.

Several years ago, after arriving and clearing customs in Hong Kong and I was rechecking my bags for Beijing on a Chinese airline - all bags from US airlines at that time were at a 70 pound limit and most people had to pay an excess baggage fee - China airlines have a much lower weight limit and also they did not accept credit cards - so everybody had to scramble to the ATM machine for HKG/RMB. I suggest you check to see where you have to clear customs - they probably accept credit card payments now - but I suggest checking.

I suggest that you get a "multiple" entry visa - especially if you will be visiting the mainland from Hong Kong. Also if you take the HKG Metro to the last stop at Lowu - they have a "seniors" lane for the border crossing and a couple hundred yards further ahead is the 5 storey building, the size of an American football field filled with thousand of stalls with products from all over China. Great prices too and there is a very nice restaurant on the 3rd floor and there is supposed to be a really good dim sum place on the 5th floor - did not get to try that!

Lastly, I always carry some American $100 USD bills - I have found that after traveling to more than 75 countries during the past 20 plus year - this is the "true" universal currency - it has never been rejected in any country that I have visited.

Henry

[helen]

Thanks everyone - that's reassuring that I don't need to get Rmb before I get there. I need to sort out with the bank re ATM machines as I have seldom use them. I'm glad that you are all seasoned travellers. This is the first visit without my Mother and husband. In to the deep end I guess. If I have any more queries I'll be back.

[douglaslam]

Helen,
Though I have been to Beijing but once, let me assure you we feel absolutely safe and belong. The taxi drivers are honest, and won't take you for a ride, and they don't expect tipping. Public transport is efficient and incredibly cheap. Get yourselves a pre-pay travel pass, it is so convenient.

I was treated very courteously in the subway and on the buses. On several occasions younger persons offered their seat to me; I was by no means appeared feeble, unsure of foot or clumsy. I was most impressed.

To see the Great Wall, we passed Juyongguan ( Juyong Pass) first, it took my breath away. I rather visit Juyong Pass than Badaling. Further afield there is Great Wall Mutianyu and Simatai. I believe both are less crowded, and equally spectacular.

Don't miss the flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square at sunrise. I am not a flag person, but what you'll see in Beijing is not likely to be seen in Wellington, Canberra, Washington or Westminster. Thousands braving the cold turn up spontaneously to witness the ceremony. The people's sense of pride and being Chinese is infectious.

For that Peking duck experience, try Xiao Wang Fu or any restaurant that catches your fancy. Don't be over-awed by reputation.

There is so much to see, so much to sample and so little time. Let us hear of your excellent adventure upon your returning.

[Ah Gin]

Helen,

By the number of postings on this topic you would have sensed that members of this Forum are just as excited that you are taking the journey. Thought I will join in the fun as well.

Taxi: Technically the taxi service is not suppose to negotiate the price of a journey, nor can they not take a passenger. That's the theory. The tariff is well displayed, ie, flag fall, RMB per km etc. But that does not stop someone from trying.

In my last trip (Nov 2008), my cousin (an ABC) and I (a JBC) decided to travel from Kiaping to Taishan. Since we were respectively from the Gold Mountain & New Gold Mountain and we obviously must be very wealthy anyway ), we thought we will take a taxi from Kaiping to Taicheng. Of course we could have used a fully air-conditioned local bus ( with the windows fully open of course, to get the max benefit of free air), but we used the taxi, on meter. From memory it was 60 Yuen or close to it. We were actually looking for the expensive hotel / property where the Lee Clan was having their Clan Meeting. Once the taxi got to Taicheng, the Kaiping taxi driver stopped around to ask for direction, and eventually we got to where we wanted to go. And yes, it was an expensive and very modern place. The Lee Clan must be wealthy, unlike the Gin Clan -- we are but poor farmers.

We had cuppochino, tiramisu etc. at the Taicheng hotel/resort (but is that not exensive "western food"), and after a relaxing time at the hotel/resort (where we managed not to buy a property next to the golf course) we asked the resort to call for a taxi, destination, back to Kaiping. Taxi came, meter was not on, and after driving a block, he calmly announced that the journey would be 70 Yuan. This was a que that if we were not happy, we could have challenged, made a fuss, got off the taxi, or complained to the authority. As we looked like wealthy Gim San Bak, we said OK, meaning, it was fixed price, door to door. We sat back, enjoyed the passing parade of village life, street life, and let the taxi driver find his way to our hotel at Kaiping, which we knew very well by then. But for all we cared, he could have driven around Kaiping 6 times, but so long as he delivered us back to our hotel, we cared not.

So our Taxi experience is just that -- an experience and fun for us.

While travelling around Kaiping and Taicheng, everyone was most helpful. The two wealthy Gold Mountain return sons to the Siyi Region stood out like a sore thumb, and the locals picked us easily, not that we minded. Between us, we spoke Hoisanwa, Cantonese (a very poor one at that), Mandarin (enough to get us into embarassing situation), and American English or Ostralian English (and that really got us into embarassing situation). At public tranport hubs, bus stations, railway stations etc. the Information Booth was always very helpful. Hot / boiling water is usually available on tap - and that is very handy in case you have a Star Buck cup, with your own good quality tea leafs.

Give us any excuse, and we will be back.

Enjoy. Regards, Ah Gin

[chansomvia]

Hi Helen,
Just to add some tips on getting RMB with a NZ account.
a) Bank of China, which has many machines at airports, rail, ferry, supermarkets, major hotels, and bus stations, accepts our NZ ATM cards with a 4 pin number. I nearly panicked though when it did not accept my two cards on October 1st. It turned out the ATM ran out of money as there was a heavy withdrawal during the "Golden Week" and the machines were not refilled during the holiday. It was nothing to do with the ATM not accepting my card as I saw lots of frustated locals banging on their machine!
b) I had problems with exchanging my foreign currency at the bank as they did not know where New Zealand was or how it was written in Chinese! They could not find it in their computer terminal as they are required to see the passport and enter the country of the drawer. Therefore make sure you write in Chinese where New Zealand is and know how it is written. We ended up by the teller fiddling something on his computerised machine, have me a wink, and I got my money without entering "New Zealand" in Chinese, talk of enterprising Chinese.
c) Carrefour in China did not accept overseas credit cards, also the ferry terminal in China did not accept foreign credit cards. My hotel in China accpted the NZ credit card. This was not a problem in Hongkong as this commercial city accepts the lot. This refusal to accept foreign credit cards was not a problem in China as Carrefour had a ATM on the premises, the ferry terminal also had a ATM in its building so it was just a case finding a nearby ATM of poking out RMB.
d) I used ATM cards from two banks just in case one did not work, as it sometimes happen in Europe. Also I put them in different hidden pockets in case one is pickpocketed as has happened elsewhere in my travels.
e) You can program your credit card to withdraw cash from your NZ cheque (pardon for the British spelling Henry) or NZ saving account. Withdrawing cash from the credit card account is expensive but sometimes used as a last resort if you spend over your ATM limit.
f) Inform your bank that you will be going to China to ensure that the do not suddenly stop you card when they see too many China withdrawals.
g) Write down the international numbers to call should you lose your card, these are free call back calls but remember the time difference as some of the NZ numbers are not open 24/7.
h) Do not forget travel insurance.

This is from personal experience, some bad but mostly good. Most important, enjoy your preparation, and we look forward to hearing of your experience. There does not appear to be facilities to publish photos (as in Facebook) or videos (as In Youtube) in this amazing forum but perhaps when you return you can blog the experience.

Joe Chan of Christchurch (ex- Malaysia)

[Ah Gin]

By the way, Nothing to do with money, but Joe just reminded me of a small matter. I can't access this Forum from Kaiping. So is that a general situation, ie, one can't access siyigenealogy from China? Perhaps Helen or others returning to China soon, can re test.

Regards, Ah Gin

[chansomvia]

Dear Ah Gin,
a) Cannot access siyigenealogy forum in Kaiping.
There is censorship on the internet in China and certain sites are not accessible. I could not access my @xtra.co.nz mail site but worked around it by getting a gmail and a hotmail account. There could be ways to work around the blocking of the siyigenealogy and other sites in China but this should be done with care as internet useage can be monitored.

b) Taxis in Taicheng
Just to add comments on taxi useage, I found Tan Shi Cheng's assistance most useful in dealing with taxis, another reason to consider using his service. However for short trips the taxi service in China was cheap, convenient and straightforward.


Joe

[Henry]

Helen,

You got some excellent travel tips from Ahgin & Chansomvia.

I always scan my passport, my China visa, and also both side of each credit card, and a list of all the phone numbers for these credit cards if they are not on the credit cards and also the telephone numbers to report the loss of a credit card I bring and put them in a password protected Word file that I attach to an email that I send to myself - just in case I lose my wallet or pickpockets get it - then I can open my email and download my Word file.

By the way on these telephone numbers - convert the name or word telephone number (so you can easily remember them ) - because some times in Asia they will not have letters on the telephone to dial or touch - just numerals.

I also carry this password protected file on a password protected flash drive. I also distribute my money and credit cards in three different places on me.

Henry

[Ah Gin]

Henry et al,

Gee this thread started by Helen sounds like fun -- tips on travel.

When I was foolish enough to spend a great deal of my working life travelling, I too used some of the tricks you mentioned. My spreadsheets are usually password protected, and coded as well. Also on my person I carry a credit card size paper containing passport info, itineary, key contacts. In flight, when it was time to fill in immigration/custom forms, I didn't need to fish out my formal doc. but just use the small piece of paper. As far as I can, I don't have checked luggage. Thus getting in and out of airports was fast. Still prefer that way. Luggages on wheels are far batter than backpack for an old fellow like me. Never take any coffee, alcoholic during flights, but lots of water. And a good paperback.

Safe journey Helen -- probably more advice than you asked for?

Regards, Ah Gin

[helen]

Excellent value - I will record all you have said, ie copy and paste it, so I am prepared. First step tomorrow is to pay for my tickets. Then apply for Chinese visas soon. I have tried to look for a 4 day tour in Beijing - $1500 NZ for 2, including accomodation. I have also asked for a quote from a NZ company - and 2 weeks later, no response. It must be hard or something. The company is based in Xian, address: 14F , #72, KEJI ER. RD. XIAN SOFTWARE PARK , XIAN, SHAANXI PROVINCE , CHINA . Chinatouronline.com. Has anyone used them?

[Henry]

Hi Helen,

You can make reservations with an online tour company:

www.tour-beijing.com/

I have not used this company, but, I think they have testimontials.

They have 4 and 5 day tour packages including hotel and airport transfers starting at $230 USD per person.

www.tour-beijing.com/beijing_package_tour/4_days_02.php

They also include some luncheons and special dinners. You can check reviews of the hotels to decide which hotel you prefer.


Henry

[laohuaqiao]

My siblings have booked tours through www.travelchinaguide.com/ , with personal guides at Beijing, Xian and Zhangjiajie (in Hunan). There are standard tours and options for customized tours. They seem to be happy with the services and would go back to them again.