<p>My husband and I are traveling to Shanghai and Beijing in a month. I have read mixed things about using ATMs in China. One problem I have read is that Chinese ATMs use 6 digit PINs. Some people say you can add 2 zeros at the end, others at the beginning but if you try 3 times and fail, the card locks up. I also have read about folks having difficulty getting their cards back from the machines on occassion.</p>
<p>So, does anyone have any recent experience with travel in these 2 cities and some experiences to share on using ATMs?</p>
<p>Hi Shennie! When we went to China to three years ago we had no big trouble with ATM’s. Sometimes one wouldn’t work but there was usually another one close by. We used our usual four digit pin#. I sort of remember that we needed to use one’s with maybe a plus label on it. I think your best bet would be asking your own bank. It might take them a couple of days to get an official answer. You are going to have soooo much fun!</p>
<p>Shennie, I used our local credit union card in Shanghai when visiting a few years back, 4 digit pin with no problem. My S, lives in Shanghai now, studying Chinese. He has traveled to Beijing and lived elsewhere in China, again no problem with cash access. You should call him! </p>
<p>Hi Kathiep, he’s back there again, studying the language pre grad school this time.</p>
<p>We have been living in Shanghai for the past two years, with one more year to go in this work assignment. We’ve been to Beijing numerous times also. Don’t worry - you will not have any trouble with ATMs. We access our money from the US through ATMs and only use our regular 4 digit PIN. ATMs are plentiful, the screens all have an English option, and we’ve never had a problem getting money. Only note of caution is to let your bank at home know you will be travelling overseas. Sometimes they will block for fraud if they don’t know you will be overseas. Have a wonderful trip - this is a very exciting part of the world!</p>
<p>If you happen to have a Bank of America account then you can withdraw from China Construction ATMs without a fee.<br>
The different banks in China set a limit on each transaction - the amount varies by bank - 1200, 1500, 1600, 2000, 3000 rmb are all amounts I’ve seen. You can do multiple transactions up to your home banks limit but each transaction means a fee so it’s good to find the ATM that lets you take the most out.</p>