Hi Olly, I will be going on the Wonders of China trip leaving 15th November 2011. I have had various suggestions as to the best means of obtaining China currency. I have been advised to take Stirling or Dollars and exchange them at the hotel where you can get a better rate than here in the UK. Is this the best route to take? I will be taking a small amount of Chinese currency just in case and to take care of immediate needs on arrival. Your views please or help from any other member with experience of the best way to exchange currency. Thanks.

Hi Allan

There are a few threads on this subject on the community that you might like to look at, including:

http://www.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-11512.html 

and

http://www.justyou.co.uk/forum/thread-23431.html 

They recommend taking £50 in Chinese yuan for the first day or two, plus sterling to change while you are in China, as the exchange rate is better. Avoid taking £50 notes, as these can be rejected.

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor

Hi there, I did this trip in September. I took £70 worth of Chinese currency. You can use your UK bank cards to withdraw money from Bank of China cash machines - but do remember to advise your bank that you are travelling. Also most of the buying opportunities will take Visa and Mastercard. If you are taking Sterling to change in the hotels make sure the notes are in very good condition as they will refuse to take them, even if there is the tiniest fold in the corner.

You are in for an amazing trip. Enjoy

Tanya

The best and most convenient way is to use the bank changing booths at the airport. There are always long queues to get through passport controls etc and the booths are all along the back wall and only take a very few minutes.

Quick supplementary question. I can see that the advice on the forums is to take around £50 of Yuan and change the rest from crisp new £10 or £20 notes when you get there at the hotel or airport.

How about the return with any unused currency? Should these be changed back to Sterling in China before leaving to get the best rate, or wait until I get home and shop around?

Hello

I would have a look at the buy-back rates before you fly - that way you will be able to decide what the best option is before leaving China.

Kind regards,

Olly, your editor