Hi Ollie

I`m booked on the Wonders of China with Yangtze cruise add-on on 13 September and am wondering about taking travellers cheques in pounds sterling. Will I have any trouble changing them in the hotels?

Marion

Hi Marion

Personally I would take a mixture of cash and cards for this holiday as some customers report it has been tricky to change travellers' cheques. Bear in mind that all of your meals and excursions are included, so you won't need a lot of money. I would take £100-200 cash in Chinese Yuan for drinks and souvenirs plus my debit and credit cards (make sure you let your bank know if you plan to do this). Another good option is the pre-loaded money cards that are available now. These can be used anywhere that you see the relevant sign (eg MasterCard).

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

Hi Marion, I went to China 28th September last year. There was a weeklong bank holiday from 1st October, when all the banks, offices and factories closed. I took some Chinese yuan and as a back up some twenty pound sterling notes. The hotels are happy to change stirling notes or dollar notes so long as they are clean and no writing on them, the rate was better in the hotels there than anywhere here. The people who had travellers cheques could not get them changed the hotels would not touch them. They do not like cheques bank holiday or no bank holiday. You will have a great holiday its hectic but well worth it. Enjoy.

Lillie.

Hi Marion

I have just returned from the latest China tour

Take about £40 in Yeun for immediate use.

They are soon to stop taking travelers cheques altogether and many have already stopped taking them.

Take sterling, but make sure it is clean, undamaged notes

You will find it very easy to exchange at hotels and banks and the rate in China is better than here.

ATM machines in Bank of China branches will also accept your debit card, so you can easily draw cash, but only in the banks that are part of the Bank of China group and not other chinese banks. Don't forget to inform your bank and credit card company that you are going to China, or they may block transactions

You will really like this holiday, and if purchasing from traders, do not be worried about offering one third of what thsy want for the goods, as you can then have a good barter with them and get some good deals

Hi all

Thanks for your advice. I will just take cash and have already informed my bank about using my cards in China. Really looking forward to this holiday,

Regards, Marion 😉

Hi,

I just came back from this trip and my sister and I took £70 each in Yuan to start and then took another £100 each in sterling to change. Along with our debit cards for 2 or 3 big purchases we found that to be enough for the whole holiday (and I did buy a lot hehe). Just to add a quick note don't take anything above a £20 note or they won't change it to Yuan! We took £50 notes as the bank said they were the least damaged notes and "every one will cash them" - not true! The cashiers in China have never seen a £50 note and will NOT change them for Yuan so take £10 and £20 notes.

The trip is fantastic I know you'll have a wonderful time!

Helenx

Hi Helen

Thanks for the advice. I have ordered my Yuan and I was considering £20 notes in sterling anyway. Am now busy sorting clothes.

Marion