Currency
In Tibet, you still use Chinese Yuan ‘RMB’. But in Tibet people don’t use coins as other big cities in China.
Exchanging Money
In Tibet, the only place to change foreign currency and travellers cheques is the Bank of China. The top end hotels in Lhasa have exchenge services but they are only availbale for guests. The sensible thing to do is to change as much money in Lhasa as you think you need. The only other places to change money are in Shigatse, Zhangmu and Purang(or perhaps Ali). If you are travelling upcountry, try and get your cash in small denominations: RMB100 and RMB50 bills are sometimes difficult to get rid of in rural Tibet. If you don’t like the idea of turning up at the border with no Chinese currency you can buy cash RMB from banks in Hong Kong and the Bank of China in large cities.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are not recommended as a way of payment in Tibet. Flights out of Lhasa can not be paid using a credit card. The Lhasa branch of the Bank of China is the only bank in Tibet which provides credit card advances. Most of time you couldn’t get cash by ATM from small branches, usually you need to go to the Main one nearby Potala Palace. A 3% commission is usually deducted and the minimum advance is normally RMB2000.
