Converting US Dollars to Chinese Yuan

Part of any trip to a foreign country is, of course, spending money. Our country's currency is the US Dollar. In China, they also have a paper-based currency like ours but instead of the "dollar", they use Yuan (pronounced yen, like hen).

When I arrive in Tokyo, Japan later today, I will just be there long enough to change planes. Because it is a short layover, I won't have to pass through immigration. At least I dont think so. As long as you dont leave the secured area after you deplane from the US, you typically dont need to go through immigration unless you will be staying.

Immigration is just a special area where local airport security verifies your passport so they know who is visiting their country and for how long. It is just a line somewhere in the airport that you stand in with other people who are also coming into the country. A security official greets you, asks to see your passport and if you are staying there, they validate your photo in your passport, give you a stamp with the date of arrival so that they can keep track of when you are due to depart. Very official, but not scary and the fun part is collecting country stamps in your passport like badges of where you have been.

Not only do you need a passport, but often times you need a visitors or work visa, depending on how long you stay. I needed a work visa as I mentioned in my first post, but all that really is is a special page in your passport (which looks like a little book with your name, date of birth and passport details). Your passport, when you first get it, is a book of empty pages just waiting to be filled up with adventures and stamps of where you have been.

My passport now has a special page, printed in English and Chinese, giving me permission to work in China, and in fact, come and go quite freely for the next twelve months. Each time I visit, I can stay for up to 3 months, as many times as will fit in a twelve month period. Kinda neat!

So, now that you understand how that works, the next thing you need to figure out is how to get around in a foreign country with foreign language speakers. Speaking English in a funny Chinese voice doesnt count. :) I must remember this... I will cover that next perhaps as I will have to learn a few new things myself!

As for the currency conversion goes, you have a couple of options. At the airport, there is usually a place that will convert your money to the local monies. At MSP, my airport, I could get Chinese Yuan by having them take cash or use my credit card and they will exchange your dollars for you. The currency rates are posted and these rates will change on a daily basis but they are based on official data. The rates are legitimate and based on fair market value, but the currency exchange stations usually charge a transaction fee, so make sure you pay attention to the fees. When in doubt, do some research to see what your best options are. Your bank can be very helpful, too.

So now I have Chinese money, which I will need when I land in Hong Kong, but I have to get to Tokyo first. I will only be there about an hour and a half so I shouldnt need any Japanese currency. Most countries will accept American credit cards like Mastercard and Visa but your bank or credit card may charge you currency conversion fees, too. Not necessarily bad since it is convenient but it isnt always free so keep that in mind.

Next stop, Japan.

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy