How to touch then? Since the above 5-yuan paper notes use the technology of intaglio printing, you could have a slight concave-convex feeling left by the printing ink when you touch the real notes. Counterfeits seized by the authorities were usually printed with offset press, which made the notes smooth without any concave-convex feeling.
How to listen? The paper notes are made of dedicated paper. Relatively new bank notes can produce clear sound when fluff them or use fingers to flip them. The texture of a fake note tends to be smoother and softer than authentic notes, so fake notes would make a muffled sound.
Lastly, how to detect. If possible, you could use instruments to carry out fluorescence checks. Fake banknotes, most of which use bleached paper to print, have a fluorescent reflection and will become white and bright under fluorescent light.
CONVERTING YOUR MONEY INTO RENMINBI
The Chinese yuan isn't freely exchangeable on international markets, so overseas visitors might not be able to convert money easily until they enter the country. For the upcoming Olympic Games, commercial banks in Beijing have pledged to provide as much convenience as possible for overseas visitors to convert their currencies and travelers' cheques into the Chinese yuan.
These banks will give prioritized handling of currency converting and extend operation time for such business. For instance, the China Merchants Bank has promised to provide foreign exchange services until 8:00 p.m. Some commercial banks such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's largest, and the Construction Bank of China have also set up dedicated counters to handle their currency exchange business.
According to the Beijing Bureau of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, more than 85 percent of Beijing branches operated by Chinese commercial banks are able to provide foreign exchange services for an individual customer. While figures released by the central bank showed that more than 2,400 bank branches in Beijing are qualified to provide foreign exchange services and all bank branches around the venues of the Olympic Games are able to offer such services.
Apart from the 2,400 bank branches, you can also convert you money at Beijing Capital International Airport, hotels, Friendship Stores and some department stores. Please note that hotels may only exchange money for their guests.
Currently, at least 18 overseas currencies are exchangeable in the Chinese mainland. They are the U.S. dollar, Euro, British pound, Swiss franc, Singapore dollar, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Norwegian Krone Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Finnish markka, Malaysian ringgit, Philippine Peso, Thai Baht and Hong Kong dollar, Macao dollar as well as Taiwan dollar.
Exchange rates fluctuate in line with international financial market condition and are published daily by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Undoubtedly, it won't be difficult for you to convert money into the Chinese yuan. And it won't be difficult either for you to change it back again at the end of your trip.
According to a 2007 regulation issued by the central bank, overseas individuals can show their tourist visa and change the yuan money into foreign money at banks and other money exchange facilities as long as the sum is equivalent to 500 U.S. dollars or less. If the sum is equivalent to more than 500 U.S. dollars, visitors are allowed to change back into foreign money at banks and they need to show both tourist visas and their exchange receipts from the initial transaction.
CURRENCY REGULATIONS
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency and foreign exchange bills that can be brought into the Chinese mainland by overseas tourists. But if you want to bring into China 5,000 U.S. dollars or more in cash, or cash that is equivalent to 5,000 U.S. dollars or more, it must be declared to the customs. Otherwise, you might probably be considered as trying to smuggle foreign money into China and be fined by the authorities.
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