[artplumber]

Well I'm not Rick, but...

You can rent an intl phone, there are several phone companies that do it. Plus you can buy more time, if your original purchase doesn't cover the minutes you want to use. The phone cards over there are sometimes difficult to use (although you can buy them anywhere).

You can change to Yuan almost anywhere. Airport, better hotels etc. They want new bills or AMEX travelers cheques. This won't be a prob. Have fun cutting deals/bargaining.

Aren't you from the NW? There's a travel agency named Lotus Travel located in Kirkland, that specializes in China travel....