💰 Quick Context: The Chinese Yuan
China uses the Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY / RMB / ¥). A bowl of noodles costs ¥15–40, a restaurant meal ¥50–150, and a hotel night ¥300–800. Quick math: divide by 7.3 for a rough USD estimate (e.g., ¥730 ≈ US$100). Check the current CNY/USD rate before your trip. China's payment landscape is unique: mobile apps dominate daily spending, while cash remains a reliable fallback for tourists.
🎧 Order Chinese Yuan / Renminbi Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order CNY → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in China
China has a unique payment landscape that is very different from Western countries. Domestic payments are dominated by mobile apps (WeChat Pay and Alipay), not traditional credit cards. Foreign Visa/Mastercard acceptance is limited outside international hotels and high-end restaurants. Cash is still accepted everywhere and is the most reliable fallback for tourists.
Mobile payments dominate. Over 90% of urban transactions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu use WeChat Pay or Alipay. QR code scanning is the default for everything from Haidilao hotpot to street-side jianbing (crepe) vendors. Foreign cards have limited acceptance: Visa and Mastercard work reliably only at international hotel chains, high-end restaurants in the Bund area and Sanlitun, and some chain stores.
Cash works everywhere. Despite the mobile payment revolution, RMB cash is still legally required to be accepted. Carry cash as your primary backup, especially outside Beijing and Shanghai. Start with ¥500–1,000 in a mix of ¥100, ¥50, and ¥20 notes. Small vendors near the Forbidden City and in hutong alleys may struggle with large bills.
How to Get Yuan for Your China Trip
China runs on QR codes. WeChat Pay and Alipay handle 90%+ of urban transactions, and as of 2024 both apps officially accept foreign Visa and Mastercard inside their tourist modes (linking still has hiccups, so build the link in advance, not at customs). Foreign cards are accepted at international hotel chains and high-end restaurants but rejected almost everywhere else. Cash, by contrast, is legally required to be accepted everywhere and is the bulletproof fallback. Plan to land with some yuan already in pocket and top up at Bank of China ATMs once you're settled, since not all Chinese ATMs accept foreign cards.
Order yuan before you fly
For pre-arrival yuan, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Chinese yuan to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate. China is one of the trickier places to land cold (foreign-card ATMs are unevenly distributed, the airport exchange counter at PEK and PVG is one of the worst in Asia by markup), so pre-ordering is more useful here than in most countries. Your home bank is the other route: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi can all order CNY for branch pickup, free for many premium accounts and a modest fee otherwise. Allow 5–10 business days for CNY because it's not a flagship currency for most banks. China does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so BoA debit users will pay BoA's standard 3% non-network fee on top of any in-country withdrawal fees, which makes pre-ordering the first ¥1,500–2,000 a sensible play before you fly. The other smart move: install WeChat Pay and Alipay before you leave home and link a Visa or Mastercard inside their tourist flows, so you're not fighting an SMS verification on Beijing wifi.
Withdraw from a Bank of China ATM
Once you're on the ground, the most reliable source of yuan is a Bank of China (BOC) ATM. BOC machines accept the widest range of foreign Visa, Mastercard, and Plus/Cirrus-marked cards, give the actual interbank rate with no markup, and historically have not added their own operator fee for foreign cards (some now charge a small ¥25–50 fee, posted on the screen before you confirm). ICBC, China Construction Bank (CCB), and Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) work too but are less consistent: a particular machine may accept Visa, the one across the street may not. Withdrawal caps are typically ¥2,500–3,000 per transaction with a daily limit around ¥10,000. Two procedural rules in China: only use ATMs inside bank branches or vestibules during business hours (street-facing machines off-hours have a higher skim rate, and you'll want a teller within reach if your card gets retained), and decline DCC every time the screen offers to charge in USD. See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a BOC withdrawal will actually cost on your specific debit card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator first so the math isn't a surprise.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Three traps to avoid in China. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at PEK (Beijing Capital), PKX (Beijing Daxing), PVG (Shanghai Pudong), and CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) advertise rates that look reasonable on the LED board but routinely run 8–15% off the interbank rate, plus a fixed fee. The exchange windows along Wangfujing in Beijing, Nanjing Road in Shanghai, and inside high-rise tourist hotels (China Travel Service / CTS branded) layer big spreads on top of small or invisible commissions, and a few have a reputation for short-changing tourists during the count-back. And the standalone ATMs you'll see inside hotel lobbies and tourist plazas (often unbranded or carrying obscure provincial-bank logos) push DCC aggressively. Stick to ATMs at Bank of China, ICBC, CCB, or ABC branches, decline DCC, and ignore the airport rate boards entirely. Heading through Hong Kong on your way in or out? Our Hong Kong money guide covers the HKD side of the trip.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-CNY timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in China
China's "Big Four" state-owned banks have the most extensive ATM networks and are the most reliable for accepting foreign cards. Always use ATMs inside bank branches for security. Withdrawal limits vary but are typically ¥2,500–5,000 per transaction.
Bank of China
The best option for foreign cardholders. Extensive ATM network across all cities and airports. ATMs have English language options and reliably accept Visa, Mastercard, and other international cards.
Recommended
ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)
The world's largest bank by total assets. Huge ATM network throughout China. Most machines accept foreign cards and offer English interfaces.
RecommendedChina Construction Bank (CCB)
One of the Big Four banks with widespread ATM coverage. Good foreign card acceptance and English language support at most machines.
RecommendedAgricultural Bank of China (ABC)
Strong presence in both cities and rural areas. Foreign card acceptance can be inconsistent at smaller branches, but major city ATMs work well.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of CNY, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–5% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "CNY", "RMB", or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in China
Stick to the Big Four banks listed above. Smaller local bank ATMs are more likely to reject foreign cards or lack English interfaces.
Small Local Bank ATMs
Smaller regional and city commercial banks often do not accept foreign cards. Even when they do, the machines may lack English language options, making transactions confusing and risky. Stick to the Big Four.
AvoidPaying by Card in China
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard have very limited acceptance compared to virtually any other country. They work at Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt hotels, some upscale restaurants, and airport duty-free shops. Do not rely on them as your primary payment method. UnionPay is the dominant domestic card network. If your home bank offers a UnionPay card, it will work at far more merchants. Discover has a partnership with UnionPay, so some Discover cards may work at UnionPay terminals. Check with your bank before relying on this. Amex has extremely limited acceptance.
Mobile Payments (The Real Way to Pay)
WeChat Pay and Alipay now allow foreign passport holders to link international Visa and Mastercard cards. This is a game-changer for tourists. Download both apps and complete verification before you travel. QR code scanning is how payments work: you either scan the merchant's code or show yours to be scanned. The process is fast once set up. Apple Pay works at UnionPay terminals but only if linked to a Chinese bank card, making it impractical for most tourists.
Where Foreign Cards May Work
International hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Shangri-La) accept Visa and Mastercard reliably. High-end restaurants in Beijing's Sanlitun district, Shanghai's French Concession, and Guangzhou's Tianhe area sometimes accept foreign cards. Large department stores like Galeries Lafayette in Shanghai may take them. Everywhere else, expect to use WeChat Pay, Alipay, or cash.
Tipping in China
Tipping Guide
Tipping is NOT customary in China and can sometimes cause confusion. Do not tip at restaurants, in taxis, or at hotels. Service charges are not added to bills at local restaurants, and tipping at Chinese hotels is not expected for porters, concierge, or housekeeping. International chain hotels may be more accustomed to it. The one exception is private tour guides: tips of ¥100–200 per day are appreciated by guides hired through international agencies for Great Wall hikes, Forbidden City tours, or multi-day trips.
WeChat Pay, Alipay & the Mobile Payment Revolution
Things to Know
China is the world's most advanced mobile payment market. Over 90% of urban transactions in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other cities use WeChat Pay or Alipay. Understanding these apps is essential for a smooth trip. Both apps now accept foreign cards: tourists can link international Visa and Mastercard cards and make QR code payments at restaurants, shops, street food vendors in Wangfujing or Chengdu's Jinli Street, and even some taxis.
Without these apps, you will need cash. Some small vendors in hutong alleys and night markets literally have no way to accept anything except mobile payment or cash. Card terminals are uncommon at local businesses. Set up before you travel: verification and card linking can take time. Complete this at home with reliable internet (note: some features require a Chinese phone number or VPN considerations).
Money Safety in China
Staying Safe
China is generally very safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare, and pickpocketing is less common than in many European cities. Watch for counterfeit ¥100 notes: they do circulate. When receiving change at markets or small shops, check the watermark, security thread, and paper texture. ATM withdrawals from Bank of China, ICBC, or CCB branches are always safe.
Beware of common scams near the Forbidden City and the Bund. Overly friendly strangers in Beijing's Wangfujing area and Shanghai's Nanjing Road may invite you to a "tea ceremony" or "art exhibition." This is a well-known scam where you end up with an inflated bill of ¥500–2,000. Politely decline and walk away.
Chinese transactions trigger fraud alerts more than most countries. Many card issuers flag them aggressively, and unexpected holds can leave you without access to funds. China's internet restrictions (the "Great Firewall") may affect your banking app. Download a VPN before arriving if you need to access your bank's website or app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists use WeChat Pay and Alipay in China?
Yes. Both WeChat Pay and Alipay now allow international visitors to link a foreign Visa or Mastercard. Download and set up both apps before arriving. QR code payments dominate Chinese commerce, and many small vendors no longer accept cash or cards.
Do Visa and Mastercard work in China?
Very limited acceptance compared to most countries. They work at international hotel chains, some upscale restaurants, and airport duty-free. China's payment infrastructure is built around UnionPay and mobile payments (WeChat Pay/Alipay). For everyday spending, you need mobile pay or cash.
Is China a cashless society?
Nearly. China leapfrogged cards and went straight to mobile QR code payments. WeChat Pay and Alipay handle everything from restaurant bills to street food and taxi rides. Some vendors no longer accept cash. However, cash (yuan) still works at most places and is essential as backup.
What is UnionPay?
UnionPay is China's domestic card network, equivalent to Visa or Mastercard. It is accepted at virtually every card terminal in China, while Visa and Mastercard are not. If your home bank offers a UnionPay debit card, it will work far more widely than Visa or Mastercard.
Can I withdraw yuan from Chinese ATMs?
Yes. Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank ATMs accept international Visa and Mastercard for yuan withdrawals. Look for ATMs displaying the Visa/Mastercard logo. Not all Chinese ATMs accept foreign cards. Limits are typically 2,500–5,000 CNY per transaction.
Is tipping expected in China?
No. Tipping is not part of Chinese culture and can be considered awkward. Do not tip at restaurants, in taxis, or at hotels. The only exception is international tour guides, where CNY 50–100 per day is becoming more common for private guides.
Spend Chinese Yuan Like a Local
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Use it at ATMs and the few merchants that accept foreign cards.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeChat Pay / Alipay with linked card | Best (low fees, wide acceptance) | ★★★★★ | Works almost everywhere |
| Cash from Big Four bank ATMs | Low (fair rates, possible home bank fee) | ★★★★☆ | Essential backup |
| No-FX-fee Visa/Mastercard | Limited acceptance (good rate where accepted) | ★★★☆☆ | Hotels and chains only |
| Regular card with FX fees | Limited + fees (poor value) | ★★☆☆☆ | Only at international businesses |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Emergency only |
China Quick Facts
| Currency | Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY / RMB / ¥). Divide by 7.3 for rough USD estimate |
| Mobile Payments | Dominate daily life. Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay before your trip |
| Best ATMs | Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank (CCB), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) |
| Card Acceptance | Very limited for foreign Visa/Mastercard. UnionPay is the domestic standard |
| Tipping | Not customary. Do not tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels |
| DCC Risk | Moderate. Always choose CNY/RMB at ATMs and card terminals |
| Best Strategy | Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay with linked international card, plus cash backup from Big Four bank ATMs |