As of October 23, 2007, the exchange rate between the American dollar and the Chinese yuan was 1 dollar to 7.5 yuan. For the current rate go to http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.htmlI
Food Prices
On my last trip to China in early 2007 I noticed a significant increase in prices, especially food prices. These higher prices (the first significant rise in ten years) reflect a cost of living increase rather than the continuing weakness of the dollar against the yuan. The price of many of the foods listed in the food section will therefore often, although not always, cost more than the price quoted. Live fish now generally sells for ¥10–18 a jin rather than ¥8–15. Pork dishes in the ¥8–10 range are now more likely to be ¥10–12. Although meat of all types seems to be the hardest hit category, even vegetable dishes have increased. You can still get many of the cheaper vegetable dishes for ¥3, but more often than not they are between ¥4–5. Rice, too, has risen in price. Until this year it was ¥1 per person, but now in most restaurants it has doubled to ¥2 per person. Rice is generally served in one large bowl no matter how many people are at the table. Even if very little is eaten out of the bowl, you will still be charged the per person price. On the bright side, most cheap restaurants still serve local beer for ¥3. The worry is with China’s fast-growing economy prices will continue to escalate.
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