Most ATMs accept foreign bankcards connected to the Cirrus, Plus, AmEx, Visa and MasterCard networks. Some local banks charge transaction fees (RMB 25 for Bank of China) but many do not; your home country bank will probably slap on a fee for each withdrawal in Beijing. Customers of Barclays, Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Scotiabank or Westpac can use their bankcard free of charge at all ATMs of China Construction Bank, a member of the Global ATM Alliance. Maximum single-day withdrawal limits vary but range RMB 3,000-5,000, with a per session limit. For a list of ATMs, see www.moveandstay. com/beijing/guide_banks.asp.
All Chinese bankcards are on the UnionPay system, which has expanded its network to a growing number of merchants and ATMs in 22 countries.