Hi,

Just want to ask advice:
1. I see some KTVs and other outlets accept HKD (for DG and SZ) - is it better to spend HKD in China? Are there any places you would recommend spending HKD over RMB and vice versa?
2. Where does one change HKD to RMB and get the best offer in CP?

Answers:
1) High recommend RMB. Slim chance of getting away using HKD.
2) Mongkok currency exchange bars (not TST)

I have seen some shenzhen and dg places that say they use 1:1 exchange for hkd as promos. That is if the bill is 1000rmb, u can also pay 1000hkd which is a 20% discount. I think i saw it at walter hotel in cp.

You mentioned mongkok, what about in china?

Thanks for the reply, wish i could karma replies and i would you.

Tho, you might get some HKD promos in china, i would count or depend on it. Just don't want you to get caught empty-handed and with your pants down in china! that's a bad combo!

i'm not sure where is the most reputable place to xchange money (at a fair rate) in china.
However, do you know you can use your ATM bank card in china? as long as the bank machine shows a PLUS or CIRRUS, or something like that, that matches with a symbol on the back of your ATM card too, you should be good. the banks are supposed to charge a fair rate. And service fees might only be $1 or $1.50 USD.
that's what i do too - and many other bros - and we are coming from all around the world, not just HK.

The bank charges an extreme rate for the ATM. What should have been a SGD500 transaction from a money changer is charged at SGD515. SGD15 charge. I don't know whether it's because of service charge or because of bad exchange rate.

MAn, just come to HK, bring your cash.


Go to any money exchange booth, I guarantee the rate is better than the banks/ATM machine.
IF u are not exchanging more than 100,000 RMB, then dont bother to waste time finding the best rate in HK from Mongkok, TST Chungking or Sheung Wan. Just exchange it in any shop (exclude those in the Mall  or in the airport).

OR if you going to cross Lo Wu, Shenzhen. Once you get out from the chinese immigration, walk straight and get out from the main gate. Dont bother with the left and right shops before the gate.
Once u get out from the main gate before going down to the MEtro, turn RIGHT, Go to the first shop (covenience store) where they is a bald Guy or Lady, with money counting machine.
For the past few years, I always change my money here, best rate in Shenzhen and equivalent to HK , sometime higher.
If you exchanging an amount more than 50,000, ask for better rate. Usually they will give additional 0.001.
I am a regular there, even when i exchange for 10K, they also give me extra 0.0005 to 0.001.
And dont worry bout if money if fake. I never have problem with their notes over the years. If any vendor or shops refusing your RMB note or it is torned, just bring your not back to this money exchange shop, they will give you a new note.
Furthermore, they put a stamp on at the corner of the note to identify that it was exchanged from their shop.



See business card below for phone no. and address:

[ Last edited by  hunter at 20-12-2012 10:34 ]

I use my union card from hsbc for payment it sauna's  and in main shops for purchase, but I always carry at lease 1500 rmb and 1000HKD, majority of the shops in shenzhen now check for fake note, even small shops they use a money dection/counting machine, even for just 1-2 notes at rmb 10-100.

but i pay the girls in sauna in cash