🇨🇳 China · CNY
Mainland China uses the renminbi/yuan (CNY), but the country runs overwhelmingly on mobile payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay rather than cash or cards. Foreign visitors can now link international Visa/Mastercard to these apps, which is the single most important thing to set up before you travel, though carrying some cash as a backup remains wise.
The official currency is the renminbi (RMB), with the yuan as its main unit; one yuan divides into 10 jiao. Banknotes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 yuan, plus small jiao notes and coins. The 100 yuan note is the largest and most common for cash. The yuan is also colloquially called 'kuai' in everyday speech.
Mobile payment dominates almost completely, and many vendors no longer handle cash easily or accept foreign cards. Set up Alipay and/or WeChat Pay before arrival and link an international card, which now works for most purchases. Carry some cash as a fallback, since by law merchants must accept it, even if reluctantly, and keep a physical card for hotels and large stores.
The renminbi is tightly managed, so rates are similar across official channels like the Bank of China and other major banks. Exchange at banks or withdraw from bank ATMs for fair, consistent rates. Avoid unofficial street changers, which are illegal and risk counterfeit notes.
Airport exchange counters in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou offer worse rates than city banks. Change only a small amount for transport and immediate needs, then top up at a bank or ATM in town. Better yet, rely mainly on Alipay or WeChat Pay once set up, minimizing the cash you need at all.
ATMs at major banks such as Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank generally accept foreign cards, though not every machine does, so try a few if one fails. Withdrawal limits per transaction apply, and some machines charge fees. Always choose to be charged in yuan rather than your home currency to avoid DCC markups.
Tipping is not traditional in mainland China and is generally not expected at restaurants, taxis, or hotels. Some upscale or tourist-oriented venues may add a service charge, but otherwise you pay the listed price. Tipping is becoming slightly more common in high-end tourism, but it is never obligatory.
The biggest pitfall is arriving without Alipay or WeChat Pay set up and finding cash and foreign cards awkward to use; configure them in advance. Beware classic tourist traps like teahouse and art-gallery 'invitations' that end in inflated bills. Decline DCC at terminals and ATMs, and refuse street currency exchange entirely.
With Alipay and WeChat Pay covering nearly everything, you need surprisingly little cash. Keeping the equivalent of a few hundred yuan in small notes as an emergency backup is sensible. Rely on the apps for daily spending and use bank ATMs only to replenish your cash buffer if needed.
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