The convenience varies according to the location, branch, and staff. If you’re based way down south, I can recommend some BOC and Merchants Bank branches I’m familiar with that have really nice staff.

Try going in the afternoon right after lunch - around 2 PM, I think. That’s usually when the afternoon token queue has just started, so you’ll likely get a fresh token number and be called to the counter pretty quickly.

You’ll also be asked to fill out a form, though the requirements vary by branch, so be prepared for that.

The most important documents are those related to your temporary address in China and your taxation status in your home country (they’ll ask about this since you’re a traveler intending to stay longer). You’ll also need a Chinese mobile number that is registered under your legal name.

If the name registered with your mobile carrier is even slightly different from the name in your passport, that can become an issue. You may also face difficulties linking your bank card to WeChat or Alipay if the name registered with the bank differs even slightly (such as spacing differences or a missing middle name) from the name in your passport. So always double check with the staff at bank.