Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ATM screens almost always offer the choice of English or Chinese operation. There are
ATMs in the arrivals hall at Capital Airport, and in many large department stores and ho-
tels. We've marked some handy ATMs on our maps.
Banks
Bank of China OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( Zhōngguó Yínháng; 6513 2214; 19 Dong'anmen Dajie,
Dōngchéng District) By the Dōnghuámén Night Market, this is one of dozens of branches
around Běijīng with money-changing facilities.
HSBC OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( Huìfēng Yínháng; 6526 0668, nationwide 800 820 8878;
www.hsbc.com.cn ; 1st fl, Block A, COFCO Plaza, 8 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dōngchéng;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri,
10am-6pm Sat) One of four branches in the capital.
Changing Money
Foreign currency can be changed at large branches of banks, such as the Bank of China,
CITIC Industrial Bank, ICBC and the China Construction Bank, at the airport, money-
changing counters of hotels and at several department stores, as long as you have your
passport. You should be able to change foreign currency into rénmínbì at foreign-ex-
change outlets and banks at large international airports outside China, but rates may be
poor. Hotels usually give the official rate, but some will add a small commission. Some
upmarket hotels will change money for their own guests only.
Keep at least a few exchange receipts if you want to change any remaining rénmínbì
back into another currency at the end of your trip.
Counterfeit Bills
Counterfeit notes are a problem across China, Běijīng included. Very few shopkeepers
will accept a ¥50 or ¥100 note without first running it under an ultraviolet light.
Credit Cards
Credit is not big in China. The older generation doesn't like debt, however short-term. Al-
though it is increasingly fashionable for young Chinese to use credit cards, numbers re-
main low compared to the West. Banks like Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction
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