The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - The Overview of the official mascots for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China
Currency
The currency in China is called Renminbi, and is issued by the national bank — the People's Bank of China. The units of Renminbi are Yuan, Jiao and Fen. Jiao and Fen is the fractional currency. The paper money comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Yuan. The Jiao's denomination can be 1, 2, 5; similarly with the Fen. Ten Fen is one Jiao and Ten Jiao is one Yuan. There is also coinage for One Yuan, Five Jiao as well as One, Two and Five Fen. But Fen is not commonly used in the coin form in daily life. The abbreviation of Renminbi is RMB or CNY with its symbol of ￥. Colloquially, Chinese, people often say Kuai and Mao instead of Yuan and Jiao.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Foreign currency and traveler's cheques are not to circulate in China, so you have to exchange them for Chinese Yuan only at Bank of China or the banks' cash centers at major airports and hotels.
Foreign credit cards available in China
Master Card
Visa Card
American Express Card
JCB Card
Diners Card
Actually China is still a cash-dominated country. But there are places like star-rated hotels, chain international shopping malls, etc, which do accept credit cards/ traveler's cheques. But most other places might have difficulty handling credit card/TC payment. ATM of Bank of China is so extensive that you can easily go and draw RMB with your credit cards whenever you need.
Banks
All Chinese Banks including BC (Bank of China), CCB (China Construction Bank), ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) and ABC (Agricultural Bank of China) and their branches, plus some other banks will transact financial affairs for foreigners.
It is quite easy to open a Chinese RMB account with Bank of China that opens 7 days per week. You only need to show your passport (ID attached) with valid visa. You will get issued with a passbook and card on the spot for a small fee of about CNY10 then you can use any of the ATM to withdraw cash.
When you withdraw your $US currency over the counter, you can then easily exchange it into Chinese RMB before you leave the bank. It is safe to carry cash but of course you need to be discreet about it.
The following are some of the banks in Beijing.
| Name | Address | Tel. | | Beijing Branch of BC | No.8, Yabao Lu, Chaoyang District | 010-65199988 | | Beijing Branch of CCB | No.28 Building, Xuanwumen Xijie, Xuanwu District | 010-63603634 | | Beijing Xidan Branch of ICBC | No.176 Xidan Beidajie | 010-66054180 | | Beijing Dongcheng Branch of ABC | Hua Li Mansion, No.58, Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng District | 010-65286170 | | Bank of Beijing | No.156, Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District | 96169 | | Beijing Branch of CITIC Industrial Bank | Investing Square, No. Jia 27, Jinrong Jie Jia, Xicheng District | 010-66219988 |
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