βοΈ Heading to China? We've gathered some tips from the bunq community to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. π
Check them out below! π π
Using your card
π³ Do I need cash in China, or can I use my card everywhere?
China has their own system of payments, which is largely through Alipay and WeChat Pay. While Mastercard is accepted in most large stores and touristy areas, you should carry cash on you just in case.
π° What currency do they use here?
The currency here is Chinese yuan. The symbol is Β₯, ε
or CNY.
π§ Which ATMβs can I use for free?
The bunq community has reported free withdrawals at these ATMs.
- ICBC China
- Construction Bank
- Bank of China
- Agricultural Bank of China
π΅ If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?
800 CNY should be enough for a few days.
π³ Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?
If you're asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.
That way bunq does the conversion for you, and you get to take advantage of the best rates with bunq ZeroFX.
Staying connected
π± Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?
Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming.
Wifi is readily available, especially in coffee shops.
If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.
Useful things to know
πββοΈ How does tipping work?
Tipping is not expected in China.
πΊ How much does a 0.5L beer cost?
β¬1,00
π½ How much does an average meal cost?
β¬3,20
π¨ Whatβs the emergency number?
There are different numbers for the different services here.
- π Police: 110
- π Ambulance: 120
- π Fire: 119
π What type of plug do they use?
This one! Itβs the standard American plug.
Many wall sockets in China are also working with European plugs, just use the top 2 holes of the socket.
π What side of the road do they drive on?
They drive on the right side of the road here.
πΊ How do I navigate my way around?
Google and Apple Maps don't work well here. It's better to use a Chinese app, for example Autonavi.
Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option. π
π Any other good tips?
- The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is not to be overlooked!
- Taxi's don't accept foreign bank cards, instead you can use cash or the 'Yikatong' Beijing Transportation Smart Card. It's also possible to use the app 'Didi', a Chinese variant of Uber.
- To keep using all your own familiar services it may be necessary to have a pre-installed VPN on your device.
If you've been to China π¨π³ share your experience! The following would be really useful for other bunqers to know:
- Which ATMs are free to use?
- What card should I use and where?
- Any other info you think may be useful.
Share your experience with us in the comments below! π π
