| [Shenzhen] Best currency/denomination for shopping? | |
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| Apr 28, 2009 05:31 |   |
| guestAlbert | Hi experts, we're travelling to Shenzen for a couple of days shopping in October. What's your advise on the currency we should take, and in what denominations? I understand that credit card purchases attract a high surcharge, plus lose of bargaining power and possible fraud too. We're travelling from Australia. Should we take some AUD and change on the spot as we go, or USD? In the Lo Wu area should one only use the Yuan for bargaining? Any pointers appreciated. Thanks very much. |
| Apr 29, 2009 21:29 | #1 |
 | Dear Guest Albert I'm not an expert, but wish to share my experience. 1. In mainland China only Yuan is accepted (except in some business establishments in Luohu where HKD is also accepted). If possible, change your AUD to RMB/Yuan in Australia at an authorised money changer or bank. You may also bring in AUD to China and exchange them in any commercial banks. But you lose in exchange commission. 2. Not many business establishments accept credit cards but cash. Many hotels and emporiums do accept credit cards (and no surcharge was imposed to me). In fact, the exchange rate is better by using credit card(s). 3. Lo Wu is in Hong Kong while Luohu is one of the districts in Shenzhen. Each is within a walking distance. 4. Please be careful of Yuan fake notes in all denominations of 100, 50, 20 and 10. For 1Y fake note you won't lose so much. Wan |
| Apr 30, 2009 02:51 | #2 |
| GUESTALBERT | Thanks Wan for your information. We will pre-pay hotel for the few days we're there. Will take your advice and exchange AUD for Yuan here in Australia before we leave. I haven't handled Yuan before, how can I spot a fake note? Best regards. |
| Apr 30, 2009 03:57 | #3 |
| Most authorised money changers know about fake notes, their fingers have eyes better than scanners. Most fake notes are easily detected but sometimes in a haste we forget to have a second look when getting back the balance especially buying someting at the roadside or paying for the taxi fare. Take all precautions. Where will you stay in Shenzhen? Wan |
| May 1, 2009 16:55 | #4 |
| GUESTALBERT | OK - will look out for that. In Shenzhen, I've done some research and seems the Century Plaza or Shanshui Trends may be a good location for us. Since we're only there for 3D/2N and it's our first trip there, we may just end up spending the time at the Luohu Commercial City and Dongmen shopping area, both of which seem to be walking distance from the hotels. What would you suggest? Are either the hotels above clean and decent enough? If you recommend any other hotel a little out, it has to be near a metro station (up to 10min walk) so that it's easy for us. I was also told that any hotel near the LCC would be very convenient for the airport shuttle bus as well. We're flying thru KL on Air Asia, and ariving at 8.45pm - would the shuttle bus be running to the city at that time? Thanks a lot. |
| May 2, 2009 00:37 | #5 |
| If you haven't reserved the hotel, I would like to suggest Railway Station Hotel, it's really in the centre of everything, just a stone throw to Luohu Commercial City and metro subway station as well as inter-city trains, but it's only about 3-star while Century Plaza is 4-star. 2. So I suppose your flight will be AK88. Formerly AK88 departs 1650 from LCCT (KUL) but now it has changed to 1615 that means your ETA SZX is not 2045 but 2010. You will land at the new low cost terminal, annexed to Dometic Terminal A. When you come out of the building, turm to your right and walk about 100m, just ignore the taximen that will say no bus! In front of the Terminal A you will see the white coaster K568 and just board the bus. The last bus or coach station is just within a walking distance to Railway Station Hotel. 3. When shopping at LCC make sure you know how to bargain, seeing a foreigner's face, they will try to solicit maximum profit. Wan |
| May 2, 2009 19:00 | #6 |
| GUESTALBERT | Actually the flight AK88 seems to be landing at 2045 according to the Air Asia itinerary. However if they are landing slightly earlier is better in any case. Will take the shuttle bus as recommended. I will also look at the Railway Hotel you've suggested. I usually book thru Agoda or AsiaRooms or AsiaHotels. Regards |
| May 3, 2009 10:58 | #7 |
| About AK88 probably you're right, but my flight in june to Shenzhen ETD 1615, so when I checked flights in October, also ETD 1615 and ETA 2010. It doesn't matter when you arrive SZX whether 2045 or 2010 but it's just a friendly reminder so you won't miss the flight or not allowed to board the plane if you were late during check-in at KUL LCCT. Wan |
| May 3, 2009 20:02 | #8 |
| hi, WANHU, i will treavel to shenzen on 15 may with my friend, will stay shenzen oar guangzhou for 4 day, still not yet decide where to stay? can you advice me which hotel should i stay, we plan to stay at shenzen 1 or 2 day then will go to either guangzhou or dongguan, can you tell me also which the best restaurent sholud i visit also. thanks chun |
| May 3, 2009 21:31 | #9 |
| There're so many hotels in both cities, how would we know what's suitable for you?! |
| May 4, 2009 08:15 | #10 |
| Dear Chun I suppose you're using AK flight too? Anyway it depends what is your budget and kind of hotel you prefer, what you want to do in SZ/GZ, sightseeing or business or both. If sightseeing, Window of the World steals one day of your time, shopping around Huaqiang already another day. You need to plan what you want to do, and where you want to go. For 200RMB per night you can get many hotels both in SZ and GZ, and DG I think hotel rooms are cheaper but only been to Humen once. SZ Railway Station hotel is around 200-240RMB per night. It's a good location. A lot of good dining and cuisines in SZ and GZ, but restaurants around Luohu a little bit expensive probably because of the clients from HK. In Huaqiang Bei there are many good restaurants you can choose. If you haven't been to these two cities, I would suggest you find locals to be your guide, especially students. The new semester starts around early june, so you won't have problem finding one. They love to practise their English conversation. The train from SZ to GZ takes about 1hr so you can commute daily and stop at East station. Usually www.asiarooms.com provides good price for rooms but local people know better and cheaper. Wan |
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