Money and Currency

Why are the prices so low?
What's included in the trip cost?
What's a Local Payment?
Can I pay the local payment in the local currency?
Can I pay the Local Payment before I leave?
Is the Local Payment for a food kitty?
Is the Local Payment for a tipping kitty?
Do I get a receipt for my Local Payment?
How much spending money do I need?
What is the best way to take money with me?
What is the currency in China?
Is it easy to find an ATM in China?
What credit cards are accepted in China?
Which traveller's cheques are handled by Bank of China?
Is tipping common place in China?
Can I bring gifts for people?


Why are the prices so low?Top
PANDA recognises many travellers like to build their own holiday while still following a basic itinerary. As a result we offer trips with a mixture of organised activities and free time to do your own thing. However don't fear, value is far more important than price. Look a little deeper and you'll see we do actually include many extra things to make your trip special. PANDA trips are also run on a twin share basis, so single travellers do not have to pay a single supplement.

Most importantly, we are a China-based tour operator, so we can reduce the tour cost greatly than our foreign counterparts. We've established business relationship with more than 50 local operators and more than 100 hotels in China. We are "Made in China" travel service provider. We used to have business with many foreign tour operators, for example, Intrepid, Imaginative, Gap, Lotus Travel, Uniworld, Travelsphere etc. We know American, Australian, British, Canadian and other English-speaking clients very well. As a local tour operator in China, we know the best of what to see and do, we save you money by using your time efficiently.

What's included in the trip cost?Top
Included in the price of each trip is your tour leader, accommodation, transport, entrance fees to all the major highlights, and you'll also find we include several meals on many trips. On a PANDA trip, you don't pay for unnecessary extras - that's why the prices are so good.

What's a Local Payment?Top
The Local Payment is used for paying for local services such as hotels and transport. It is expensive to transfer funds internationally - so by making a Local Payment you help us keep our costs low and pass the savings on to you. The local payment is the final part of your overall tour cost. It is to be paid in cash, in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the start of your trip. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable.

Can I pay the local payment in the local currency?Top
Yes - it can to be paid in US dollars or local currency RMB indicated in the itinerary and final invoice.

Can I pay the Local Payment before I leave?Top
No, as the money is used to pay for local services these cannot be paid elsewhere.

Is the Local Payment for a food kitty?Top
No, the Local Payment is used for paying for local services such as hotels and transport, and the Local Payment does not contribute to a food kitty.

Is the Local Payment for a tipping kitty?Top
No, the Local Payment is used for paying for local services such as hotels and transport, and the Local Payment does not contribute to a tipping kitty

Do I get a receipt for my Local Payment?Top
Receipts are not issued automatically. If one is required the leader can download a form from the website and sign for you.

How much spending money do I need?Top
Not a lot! Your accommodation, transport, local leader and some meals are included. Depending on where you are, you'll generally get by on about US$20 a day, covering meals, drinks and the like.

What is the best way to take money with me?Top
Cash, travellers cheques, or credit cards... that is the question! The safest way to carry money with you is in the form of credit cards; however, many of our past clients have said they wished they had brought more cash with them because of the difficulty in withdrawing cash in remote areas etc. We recommend a combination of the them - cash, credit card and travellers cheques, but be aware that most insurance companies will not cover for the loss of cash. As a general rule, American Dollars are accepted at the banks throughout China, but make sure you have small denomination bills, and that they are not ripped or marked, as this may affect your ability to change them.

What is the currency in China?Top
China's legal tender is Renminbi (RMB). Foreign currencies can not be used directly in mainland China.

The basic unit of RMB is Yuan. 1 Yuan (or Kuai) =10 Jiao (or Mao). RMB is available in both paper notes and coins. The denominations of paper notes are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Yuan; 5, 2 and 1 Jiao. The denominations of coins are 1 Yuan; 5 and 1 Jiao. The currency in Hong Kong is HK dollar.

Foreign currencies may be converted into RMB at all banks, bank branches or hotels at the exchange rate quoted on the foreign exchange marker on the day. When you exchange money at the banks, you should ask for a certificate, with which you can change RMB back to foreign currency when you leave the country.

The Bank of China is the bank which specializes in handling credit cards issued in foreign countries. They include Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Card, American Express, JCB, Million Card and Federal Card. These cards can be used at international hotels and shopping centers where the Bank of China has branches.

Is it easy to find an ATM in China?Top
You won't have any problems finding an ATM in the main cities in China, though you probably won't be able to find one in remote areas or the smaller towns. The rapid emergence of ATMs in main cities in China means that you can now withdraw money from your Visa or MasterCard accounts, or even directly from your savings account, if you are linked with Cirrus or Maestro. Whilst this can make things extremely convenient, we advise that you do not rely solely on this form of obtaining funds, as there will not always be an ATM handy. Credit cards can also be useful, but we suggest you bring these in case of an emergency, rather than as a day-to-day spending tool.

What credit cards are accepted in China?Top
Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in China, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's club, and the JCB card of Japan.

Credit cards are accepted only at international hotels, large shopping malls and stores and top-end restaurants. Usually the local restaurants, shops and supermarkets will not accept credit card payment.

Which traveller's cheques are handled by Bank of China?Top
Issued by Currencies
Thomas Cook USD HKD CAD AUD JPY CHF GBP
International Payment Co. USD GBP CAD
American Express Co. USD
Citibank USD
Nanyang Commercial Bank USD HKD
Swiss Bank CHF
Bank of Tokyo JPY
Mitsui Bank JPY
Sumitomo Bank JPY
Fuji Bank JPY
If you have any problems, please contact the Bank of China, Beijing Branch (Tel: 86-10-6303 5128).

Is tipping common place in China?Top
Yes, tipping is commonplace in travel industry in China. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip with the group tipping kitty. Your leader will advise how much and where and when tipping is appropriate.

Your tour leader works hard to ensure you have a great trip, so please don't hold back if you feel they have earned a tip for their efforts. If you would like to reward your leader for his or her services, you can choose to do so individually or make a group presentation at the end of the tour.

If you go to a local restaurant or catch a taxi, it's no necessary to tip the service provider.

Can I bring gifts for people?Top
If you want to give something to the local people please bring something useful like pens or school books, not lollies. The other thing we insist upon is that the distribution of these gifts are done in an organised manner - either through the headmaster of a school or ask your tour leader what the most beneficial approach is. Some children, and even adults, may ask for things on the street, in villages, etc, and although giving a 'present' may give both of you a brief moment of joy, handing things out like this only encourages begging and is destructive in the long term.