Australian Bank Card, Budget per Day, Best Rate for RMB Cash

Hi everyone,

I will travel to Beijing for 11 days with my 2 kids in April and appreciate your advice on the following questions.

1. Can I use Macquaire Bank's Mastercard Debit Card in Beijing? If I can, will it work in WeChat?

2. What should be my budget per day for myself and 2 kids excluding accommodation?

3. How much RMB cash should I exchange in Australia?

4. Would you recommend getting RMB from Bank of China?

Thank you in advance.

Traveling to Beijing with kids requires a bit of planning around payments and daily expenses. Here’s a detailed breakdown for your questions:

1. Using Macquarie Bank Mastercard Debit Card in Beijing:

Your Macquarie Bank Mastercard Debit Card should generally work at ATMs in Beijing that display the Mastercard logo. Most international banks and large hotels also accept Mastercard for payments.
For WeChat Pay, foreign cards can sometimes be linked, but this depends on current policies. Many travelers find that linking a local Chinese bank card (or using RMB cash top-up) works more reliably than trying to use an Australian debit card directly.

2. Budget per day for yourself and 2 kids (excluding accommodation):

Food: Expect around RMB 150–250 per adult per day for meals at mid-range restaurants; for kids, about RMB 50–100 per child per day.
Transportation: Beijing subway and buses are very affordable; budget around RMB 50–100 per day for three people if using public transport.
Entrance fees: Major attractions like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven can range from RMB 40–100 per adult; children under 1.2m often have discounted or free entry.
Miscellaneous: Snacks, small souvenirs, or extra activities: RMB 50–100 per day.

Overall, a comfortable daily budget for three people (excluding hotels) would be around RMB 400–700 per day.

3. How much RMB cash to exchange in Australia:

It’s good to have some RMB on hand for taxis, small shops, or places that do not accept cards. For your 11-day stay, exchanging RMB 2,000–3,000 in Australia should be sufficient to cover the first few days and emergencies.
Additional cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in Beijing using your Mastercard, but check your bank’s foreign withdrawal fees beforehand.

4. Getting RMB from Bank of China in Beijing:

Yes, the Bank of China is reliable and widely available. You can withdraw cash using your international debit card. They usually offer better rates and lower fees compared to airport currency exchange counters.
Other large Chinese banks like ICBC and China Construction Bank also provide similar services.

Summary:

Carry some RMB for initial expenses, but rely on ATMs for additional cash as needed.
Budget around RMB 400–700/day for meals, transport, and attractions.
WeChat Pay works best with a Chinese bank card, but your Mastercard may still be useful for ATMs and large payments.

This should give you a comfortable start and flexibility during your Beijing trip with your kids.