China
Currency in China: what to use and how to exchange
China uses the yuan (CNY/RMB, ¥). Mobile payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay is the everyday method in cities, and foreign visitors can usually link an international card (check current rules before you fly). Bring a few hundred yuan in cash as backup, and exchange larger amounts at a bank branch with your passport rather than at the airport.
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GuideChina
Key facts
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (CNY / RMB, ¥); notes ¥1–100, coins ¥0.1–1
- Best way to paycheck
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; check current rules and set up before arrival
- Cashcheck
- Accepted by law, but change is scarce; keep some small notes for backup
- Cardscheck
- Visa and Mastercard work at big hotels and some chains; small shops often refuse
- ATMscheck
- Bank of China, ICBC and China Construction Bank are the most reliable for foreign cards
- Airport exchange ratecheck
- Typically worse than a bank branch; change only a small amount
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time zone
- UTC+8 nationwide (Beijing time), no daylight saving
Details
The yuan is issued in notes of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50 and ¥100, plus small coins that most people ignore. Prices are written as ¥ or RMB; renminbi is the name of the currency itself, while yuan is the unit. In speech you will hear kuai, the everyday word for yuan, so ¥10 is shi kuai.
Mobile payment is the practical default in cities. Alipay and WeChat Pay both offer ways for foreign visitors to link an international card, but the rules and limits change, so check the current process in the app before you fly and again on arrival. Once loaded, you scan a QR code at the till or show your own code to be scanned. Street stalls, taxis, metro machines, museums and convenience stores commonly take it (check).
Cash still works and shops cannot legally refuse it, but staff may not have change for a ¥100 note, and in a queue of QR codes you will slow everyone down. Keep some small notes for the first day, temple donation boxes and the odd rural vendor.
Cards are hit and miss. International hotels, airport shops and some large chains accept Visa and Mastercard, but most restaurants, taxis and small shops do not (check). UnionPay is the domestic network and is widely accepted; a foreign-issued UnionPay card is the smoothest plastic option if you have one.
ATMs from Bank of China, ICBC and China Construction Bank are the most likely to accept a foreign card, and they usually offer an English menu (check). Withdraw in larger amounts to limit fees, and check whether your bank charges a foreign transaction fee plus a local ATM fee.
| Method | Where it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay / WeChat Pay | Common in cities | Link a foreign card; rules change — check before you fly |
| Cash (¥) | Everywhere by law | Change is scarce; carry small notes |
| Visa / Mastercard | Big hotels, airports, some chains | Often refused in small shops and taxis |
| UnionPay | Widest card acceptance | Best if your bank issues it |
| ATM withdrawal | Bank of China, ICBC, CCB | English menu; fees vary by bank |
| Airport exchange counter | Arrivals halls | Usually a worse rate; use only for a taxi fare |
Tips
Exchange money at a bank branch rather than a street counter. Bank of China handles foreign currency well, and you will usually need your passport (check). Rates at hotels and airports are consistently worse.
Carry your passport when you change money or withdraw at a counter; it is often required for the transaction (check).
Keep a screenshot of your Alipay or WeChat Pay QR code and a small cash reserve in case your phone dies or the network drops.
Tell your home bank you are travelling, or the first card payment may be blocked as fraud.
Prices in tourist areas are sometimes quoted in a way that assumes you will not check the rate; compare against the day's mid-market rate before agreeing to anything large.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in China?
The Chinese yuan, written CNY or RMB and shown as ¥. Notes run from ¥1 to ¥100, with small coins of ¥0.1 to ¥1. Mobile payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay is the everyday method in cities (check current rules for foreign cards).
Where is the best place to exchange money in China?
A bank branch, usually Bank of China, with your passport (check). Airport and hotel counters are convenient but typically give worse rates. ATMs from Bank of China, ICBC and China Construction Bank are the other reliable option (check).
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in China?
Neither alone. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly if the current rules allow it (check), since that covers most city spending. Bring some yuan in cash as backup, and treat Visa or Mastercard as usable mainly at large hotels and chains.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialPeople's Bank of China
- officialBank of China – foreign exchange services
- officialAlipay – international visitors
- officialWeChat Pay – international card guide
- secondaryWikivoyage – China