HELP! Banking it at BLCU

[usagi217]

hey everyone,

I was hoping the some of you who have already gone to BLCU could help a newbie. I'm going to stay there for 5 months (Feb 06 - July 06) and would like to know the best way to manage my money there. How is the bank on campus? Is it easy to wire money from the US to there? If it's a bad idea to use their bank, how about the ATM machines? Do any of you know whether they take Citibank cards? Any help would be greatly apprechiated. I barely speak any Chinese and all of this is so overwelming.

[artichoke]

I didn't bother with an account in China (I'm from Australia) and just used my visa card to withdraw cash from ATMs. The best bank's ATM is Bank of China because you can withdraw more RMB with foreign card than other banks (helpful at the time of paying tuition fees for example). The ATMs on campus often did not give any money, nor reciepts for failed transactions (be warned!). The closest Bank of China is near the Starbucks (past BLCU East gate).

[usagi217]

What were the fees like when you used your visa?

[Lu]

There is a bank inside BLCU, I opened a bank account there when I was there. The account I opened had an ATM card, as I remember that was free, but there was no interest. Opening an account can be a bit mafan, try bringing someone who speaks Chinese, or else try asking the security guard for help, he looks scary but is nice & helpful. The bank also exchanges traveller cheques.

There is an ATM machine in the hall of the same building the bank is in, which was the only ATM I could find that would take my Dutch bank card.

[usagi217]

Thank you, I feel so much better.