Originally Posted by
Alka
+ We'd like to update friends and family with photos and notes -- is Facebook available or is that restricted?
I would never count on a site like Facebook being available. I haven't tried to access it from China but big sites with user-generated content tend to be problematic.
+ As mentioned in my reply to tiblot, we arrive late but arranged prepaid shuttle transportation. Unless necessary to do otherwise in your opinion, we'll arrive without Chinese currency but will exchange USD the next day. Would I be better off having at least have some money in hand upon arrival? If so, I'll look to exchange at DFW or ORD.
There is currency exchange in the airport. I would expect you to get a better deal that way. When we have looked at exchange rates in LAX or SFO they have been terrible compared to what they are over there.
We always land with currency saved from the last trip, we normally don't spend any of it until the next day unless she's been asked to pick up something from the duty free. (Yes, you read that right--they have duty free stores in the arrivals area.)