Chinese currency. Availability

Living Off The Splash

Can I purchase Chinese currency from a bank in Ireland? We would be traveling to both Hong Kong and mainland China. Will the same currency be used in both places?

Is there a limit on the amount of Chinese currency that I can bring in to China?

Hmm_Messiah

Living Off The Splash wrote: »

Can I purchase Chinese currency from a bank in Ireland? We would be traveling to both Hong Kong and mainland China. Will the same currency be used in both places?

Is there a limit on the amount of Chinese currency that I can bring in to China?

I got yuan before in Bank of Ireland ( not a customer so a bit of a rigmaroll to get it)


but on recent trips I only brought enough for first days - taxi etc, and some places ( mainline china) want cash upfront from non-nationals) After than just used the bank card . I have not been to Hong Kong but Main land is very cheap for meals , and accommodation ( my average hotel was 20-40 euro per night for 2) . Hard to determine how much cash needed not knowing how long you are there etc

We were spending about 100 euro - 800 yuan a day on accommodation, food, taxis, small purchases. visits to some sites would bring that cost up

Living Off The Splash

Thanks. Was that a credit card that you used?

EazyD

Yuan in mainland, HK dollar in Hong Kong. If you want to use your card in HK for withdrawals it can be done at HSBC terminals (although fees will apply of course). Not entirely sure about your card working in mainland, only been once myself but have been HK many times. I think in mainland there is a restriction on the amount you can take with you when departing, not sure how much.

whomitconcerns

Been to China twice and travelled around never used anything but ATM machines over there.
It's all good

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

nailer54321

Avoid at all caust changing money at the airport in a money exchange, my advice would be to find a bank of china in the airport and change money there. If flying into Beining capital airport you will definetly find a bank of china there, yuan for mainland china and Hong kong dollars for hong kong. A lot of hotels will have a currency exchange machine which gives excellent rates, so might be work while looking into that, the machines are stand alone machines so just check the exchange rate and off you go.

Batgurl

It’s better value to just rock up to the atms and withdraw based on the value your bank is offering on the day. +1 for agricultural bank of China but any airport atm will be legit so just use one once you rock in.

Mervyn Skidmore

A Revolut card worked great for me last year on a trip to Thailand, Malaysia, and China. You get the best rate possible.

uck51js9zml2yt

You should be able to get yuan in the arrivals hall of the airport.
It's government controlled so the rate of exchange is fixed.

nailer54321

The rate of exchange is not fixed, also the exchange booths in the arrivals hall charge high comission rate which most do not advrrtise, my advice would be to find a bank of china and change your money there.

Living Off The Splash

Thanks for all the advice and tips.

finbarrk

I used Bank of Ireland. I would do the same again. I prefer to bring the cash.