You'll get a much better exchange rate here than at home, just spend n hour or two at a BOC and open an account, make sure they change your cash into RMB before it's deposited or you can only use that money in the city you open the account (weird as it's the same bank all over China) but you will get the card instantly, I have used my BOC debit card everywhere without any problems at hotels, E & W China, big shops & ATM/banks. I deposited about $4,000 AUS dollars & it cost about 50rmb to exchange & deposit it.