China Travel Forum

[Jack]

We are experienced travellers/backpackers for SEA and are planning a three month trip the Mekong down from (Tibet?)/Yunnan all the way down to the mouth of the Mekong. We have been in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand before. We do not know how to handle the money problem in China, keeping in mind not to carry around to much cash in our pockets! It is our first trip to China!!!

Therefore we are asking:
1. Is it possible to withdraw cash by ATM's in China?
2. Can we get cash with a CC (Visa or Master) in the banks, also in smaller cities?
3. We read/heard, it is even possible to withdraw cash with a (european) bank card, if they have a "Maestro" sign on it?
4. How much Dollars must we calculate for the costs of a average average day ( "normal" decend hotel + "normal" local food) for two people in Yunnan (and in Lhasa/Tibet).
5. Can we pay hotel bills (for instance the Camellia in Kunming) or the flight tickets from KMG to LXA and back to DIG(Zhongdian) with the CC. It should be as far we know for the moment around 300-320 USD/person.

Thank you for any information!

[Anthony]

I had Visa and used it all over China, both in small cities and large ones. I don't know if Maestro work but it doesn't hurt bringing it along. I spend about 9-12 dollars per day (all inclusive) in Yunnan and I think that's rock bottom. I have no idea about flying in China, I like it better on the ground. Have a nice time