Q: How much spending money shall I bring?

A: Well how much money you spend in China is really up to each individual. We can however give you a general idea of expenses in China. It is possible to have a good night out in Beijing this includes dinner, drinks and clubbing for apx 200RMB. However it is wholly possible to spend 10 times that amount.

Transport is relatively cheap in China. Buses and subways are the cheapest option costing between 1-2RMB. Taxis cost a minimum charge of 10RMB (minimum prices vary between cities). An across town journey in Beijing will cost apx 50 RMB. Some students opt to buy bicycles which cost apx 200RMB.

Again the amount spent on food varies upon the individual you can have a meal on street stall for as low as 5 RMB and you can go to a top restaurant and pay upwards of 500 RMB per person. For some China is a shopping paradise, with cheap clothes, souvenirs, dvds and much more.

Q: How does money exchange work in China and how should I bring money?

A: Again there are several options with regards to money changing and in what form you should bring money to China.

You can change foreign currency at the airport, banks around the cities and hotels. It is a relatively easy process; you just bring the cash and your passport to the bank or money changer and get your RMB.

Travelers’ checks can be cashed at the airport, hotels and banks. Credit cards are widely accepted at major stores, restaurants and hotels around china. It is also possible to get cash advances from ATM machines if you have a pin and from banks with ID. There are now many ATM machines and they can be found pretty easily in most large Chinese cities.

Opening a local account is a good option for longer-term students. This gives them a place to keep cash they have bought with them and to receive money transfers from abroad. There are a few options when thinking about opening a local account we recommend, Bank of china or Industrial and Commercial Bank. These two have lots of locations around China and also on some university campuses.

Q: What happens if I run out of money?

A: Well we hope this does not happen, but if it does don’t panic. There are Western Union branches in all major cities in China. Always feel free to contact CSA if you have any problems while you are studying with us.

Q: What kind of visa do I need and where do I apply for one?

A: Please refer to the Visa Section on this website, it gives comprehensive details on all your Visa needs.