China

Exchanging money in China can be a confusing and time-consuming affair. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, a line at the bank can easily take an hour of your day. And considering the language barrier, you can never be sure whether your international bank or credit card is valid at any number of banks, whether the bank clerk genuinely understands English or if the currency exchange will even be successful when all is said and done. When exchanging American dollars into the local currency, the physical condition of your dollars can also see you denied service since China is very reluctant to accept bank notes unless they’re in nearly unused condition. Save yourself a lot of time and sanity and exchange your dollars from the States for the entire duration of your trip before taking off.

TIP: It's not recommended to shop with your bank or credit card in China. Plan on paying in cash throughout your visit.