Beijing Destination Guide

Useful Information

Cash Machines/Atms:

Beijing has many ATMs in the city, but only half of them will accept foreign cards. The Bank of China controls the main foreign freindly ATMS, which work in both Chinese and English (depending on your card). They may be low on cash from over-use, but they do use the latest equipment and are easy to find. Sometimes the connection to the overseas banking networks can be overloaded.

If you are told by a Bank of China machine that your transaction has been declined and to contact your bank, do not panic.  This often just means that the International network is unavailable.  You should try the other two banks mentioned or return the next day.

Just recently another bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, has opened up most of its ATMs to the international network, allowing VISA transactions. ICBC is a very common bank in Beijing and seems to have branches almost everywhere.  These banks are very popular however, and you may end up waiting in line to use one of these ATMs.

There are a couple of other banks which may accept foreign cards around Beijing, namely HSBC and Citybank.  These ATMs are extremely rare however.  Other internal Chinese banks almost certainly will not process your overseas transaction.

Chinese Currency:

The unit of Renminbi is a yuan and with smaller denominations called jiao and fen. The conversion among the three is: 1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen. No foreign currency is allowed to circulate in China.

RMB is issued both in notes and coins. The denominations of paper notes include 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5, 2 and 1 fen. The denominations of coins are 1 yuan; 5, 2 and 1 jiao; and 5, 2 and 1 fen. In spoken Chinese, yuan is often called as kuai and the jiao as mao.

The RMB is not easily convertible on the international market so it is only usable in China. It is advisable to change only the money that you need for you trip as it may be difficult to change back to you preferred currency. You can convert unused RMB to another currency in China by producing the receipts for your original purchase of RMB in China. This exchange is done at the airport as you leave China.

Water:

Tap water in mainland China is not drinkable, and should not even be used for brushing your teeth. Use bottled water, widely available on every street, and provided for free in all the better hotels.

Health:

The adjustment to climatic variations and different foods may result in colds or digestive disorders that, although rarely serious, may impede your enjoyment. Diarrhea can frequently affect travellers and is generally caused by a change of diet, or sometimes by contaminated food or water. It is wise to carry some anti-diarrhea capsules, such as Imodium. Should your symptoms persist, seek professional advice to stop the problem from becoming serious.

Toilets off the beaten tourist track tend to be primitive so it is useful to bring along your own sanitary necessities and moist towels when venturing outside your hotel. Air pollution in the large cities is severe, particularly in winter. Respiratory ailments are common.

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