Best way to get enough CNY when going from Nepal?

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yurster
yurster

Hi, I am going from Nepal (Kodari border) to Tibet, and straight towards Kailash (not going to Shigatse or Lhasa first). What would be the best way to have a good amount of local currency (CNY) with me?

  • Bring USD and change at the border (Nepali side or Tibetan side better rate?)

  • Last year there was a Bank of China ATM (I think - maybe a different bank) at Zhangmu but it wasn't working for my Japanese or American card. Are there other ATMs likely to work in Zhangmu, Nyalam, Saga?

  • Is it easy to change Japanese Yen directly to CNY on either side of the border?

  • Change Nepalese Rupees or USD or JPY into CNY in Kathmandu (Thamel? or is there a better place?)

  • Are Travellers Checks (in USD, issued by American Express) pretty easy to work with in Lhasa?

  • any other good suggestions are definitely welcome ;)

Thanks very much!

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diniller
diniller

I think you should prepare enough RMB, because only the RMB can trade in China

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losang
losang

I have been to Dram/Zhangmu many, many times over the years and never have had any problems using an ATM there with a foreign card. You should also be able to easily exchange USD to RMB in Zhangmu or in Kodari (last town on the Nepal side of the border). Nyalam and Saga will not have ATM's that accept foreign cards and most likely will not be able to do any foreign exchange in these towns.

I am not sure about changing JPY in Zhangmu or Kodari.

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yurster
yurster

Thanks for the reply, are there multiple ATMs in Dram/Zhangmu? Last September 4 Japanese people including myself tried to use the ATM at the Bank of China (I only saw one) and it didn't work. If you know of other machines that may work, I'd love to know.

Thanks!

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losang
losang

There are not many ATM's in Dram to choose from, but there are at least 2 in town that should accept a foreign ATM card. The Bank of China (as you probably know) is quite far up the hill in Dram. They have an ATM that should accept most foreign ATM cards and they also can exchange currency and should cash travelers cheques as well. There is also an ATM that will accept many (but not all) foreign ATM cards outside of the main Post Office in town.

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raccoondog
raccoondog

On the same topic: Is it possible to change USD travellers' cheques into Chinese yuan at Zhangmu? If I get a receipt from them can I change my remaining yuan into USD at my departing airport - Kathmandu? I an doing the Kailash kora only. Thanks.
They say the exchange rate for USD (and other currencies) is much better at Zhangmu than at Kodari. True? Anyone knows the rates recently for major currencies? Thanks again.

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yurster
yurster

Just got back, and -

you can change JPY and other major currencies at Bank of China in Zhangmu.

I am not sure about TC.

I believe rates will be better in Zhangmu rather than Kodari.

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