Exchanging money and booking hotels day-by-day in China (page 2 of 2)

Hi there, You can pay in cash everywhere. I was in the Yuanyang mountains twice last year and had no issues—everyone had cash. Kunming Metro has all options available, urban buses cost 2 yuan when you board. Exact change is needed. Other apps like Touch'n'Go (Malaysia) also work everywhere—I used it regularly. You need internet.

Hi Eric,

I’m taking advantage of this discussion to ask about Yuanyang, where you’ve been several times. I’d love to go, but I’ve read that the time we’re planning to visit—early November—isn’t the best for seeing the rice terraces at their finest. March is apparently better. Do you confirm this? Should we skip it in favor of northern Yunnan? (We’ll be in Gansu beforehand and will spend a few days around Zhangjiajie afterward)

Hi there, Yes, I can confirm. November is the worst time. March is the best time when the rice terraces are flooded. They start planting the rice from early to mid-April.

Thanks! (That’s exactly what I was afraid of.)

Hi there,

I just bought a ticket directly at the station 4 days before departure—no extra fees, and you can pay with Visa. Online resellers really mark up the prices. You use the translator on your phone with the agent, and that’s it. I took a screenshot from a reseller’s site with the time, date, and destination, and it took 5 minutes. Just remember: your passport is mandatory to buy a ticket and to enter the station on the day of departure.