Getting US Dollars in Kunming

Replies: 18 - Last Post: 28-Nov-2008 22:56 Last Post By: modernleifeng

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bedemarton

23-Nov-2007 02:29
Posts: 23

Getting US Dollars in Kunming

Hi all,

We are currently in Chengdu, and will be slowly working our way across Sichuan and Yunnan towards the Myanmar border, which we plan to cross in about three-four weeks.
As some of you may know, the only useful way to bring money into Myanmar is US dollars in cash. And not just any kind of US dollar, but only banknotes in perfect condition. So will I be able to get these at a Bank of China branch in Kunming with my Mastercard, or should I take care of this in a larger city like Chonqing or Chengdu? Or even better: will Bank of China in Kunming give me nice clean US dollar banknotes for my AmEx traveller cheques?

Thank you so much
bm

ellyse

23-Nov-2007 02:39
Posts: 8,932

I'm not sure about whether you'll be able to get USD in any of those places.
The only way I know to get USD would be to produce an exchange memo in your own name, which shows that you've previously exchanged USD to RMB in China.
Cheers!

bedemarton

23-Nov-2007 03:10
Posts: 23

Uhh, this is really bad news. Is there absolutely no other way?

ellyse

23-Nov-2007 04:01
Posts: 8,932

Sorry but I'm not sure. Another method that you might explore would be to ask around in the hostels and guesthouses for other travellers who want to do USD to RMB exchange, and exchange with them.
Cheers!

kunmingirl

23-Nov-2007 06:59
Posts: 199

it really is the law - a chinese bank will give you dollars only upon a receipt showing you've changed rmb. youre only option is to become an exchange service for other travellers.

bedemarton

23-Nov-2007 18:15
Posts: 23

How about somebody wiring me the money from outside of China, with Western Union for example? Can I pick up the money sent to me in Us dollars?

ellyse

23-Nov-2007 18:21
Posts: 8,932

I'm not sure if it would get converted to RMB when you pick up.
Cheers!

Harry_Mudd

23-Nov-2007 18:41
Posts: 4,088

yeah, I'm reasonably sure that Western Union will convert. China wants hard currency and doesn't want to lose any.

Maybe the touts will help you, or a kind Samaritan.

"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road" - Henry Ward Beecher

chengdude

23-Nov-2007 19:56
Posts: 664

If you're in Chengdu and up for it, go to the main Bank of China office on Renmin Zhong Lu or, further south, the Bank of China next to the Jinjiang Hotel/across the street from Minshan Hotel. Plenty of touts exchanging money there. If they whip out a wad of dollars to exchange, you probably want to walk away unless you know exactly what you're doing. Otherwise, they should go with you into the bank, withdraw the dollars from one of their accounts (while you watch) and then do the exchange. No problem that way & the dollars are OK. Negotiate good-naturedly beforehand to get the best rate you can...should be around 7.6 RMB to the dollar.

sewage

23-Nov-2007 22:41
Posts: 394

The exchange rate is slightly under 7.40 RMB for 1 USD.

healsJnr

03-Jan-2008 19:52
Posts: 2

This is probably a bit late to be of use to bedermaton, but for anyone else who's in Kunming looking for US Dollars, just head to the China Bank behind the new era hotel. As long as you have the ATM receipt from when you withdraw your Yuan, they will exchange it into US dollars for you at a fairly reasonable rate. We got 7.26 RMB to the US Dollars.

ellyse

03-Jan-2008 21:19
Posts: 8,932

#10: That's the "usual" way. I think OP didn't have anything to prove that s/he previously changed USD to RMB.
Cheers!

ikunming

06-Jan-2008 18:54
Posts: 14

Or any bank of china branch will give you USD

ellyse

07-Jan-2008 16:42
Posts: 8,932

Really? Without having to prove that you previously bought RMB with USD? Without having to be a Chinese citizen?
Cheers!

robmegindia

08-Jul-2008 19:32
Posts: 143

i just got rmb exchanged for usd here in guangzhou, in the bank of china...a little late i know...but even chinese banks are known for giving fakes...they have no means to verify that bills are real other than their eyes.

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