Here is some inside info about Lowu border that may be useful to other "foreigners":
1. The little shops selling cigarettes and drinks just after you cross into China are actually money changes, and give you the best rates. They change the money for the real commerce, and Hong Kongers buying houses in China, dont let their lack of signs fool you, these are big operations. And dont lose your cool because they take your hundred bucks into the back to verify it. I saw a foreigner start yelling in Hong Kong because the lady didnt count back the money, just gave it to him in a clump. But Chinese dont always count back money, especially when its just a few dollars. Keep cool. Dont think you are getting scammed all the time.
2.The foreigners always get targeted by the pirate DVD and software touts. Dont buy from these guys, its much cheaper inside China (computer center or Sega electronics center) 4 RMB is the real price. Besides this, most of this software and movies dont work.
3.Just get out asap, because all the touts will give you a headache. The standard sales line is "Hello, you buy watch, Hello you buy gucci hand bag...etc. They will grab your arm, follow you all around. There are gangs of street urchins near the Shangri-La hotel. Pimps up and down the streets "You want Miss?" There is an old man with a sorry looking monkey with hair falling out that will jump on you and you have to pay to get it off. The pitiable lady with the baby who appears to be eating out of the garbage--she put her takeaway rice box inside. They stay there all day. Get out of Lowu, this is where all the hustlers and theives wait for you.