Money in China
China uses the Chinese yuan. Here is how to pay there, whether to tip, and what common amounts are worth.
- Currency
- CNYChinese yuan
- Symbol
- ¥
- Tipping
- Not expected
Paying in China
Mobile payments dominate. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you go.
- Cards
- Limited
- Cash
- China Briefing and The Register report that Chinese authorities say businesses must accept RMB cash and that refusing it can bring penalties. Cash is still useful in small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas, but Wendy Wu Tours warns that some supermarkets and market stalls may not take it.
- ATMs
- Foreign cards work at ATMs showing Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay logos, and withdrawals are in RMB. Wendy Wu Tours says many ATMs outside major cities only work with Chinese bank cards, and advises using Bank of China ATMs.
- Exchanging money
- Trip.com says major banks such as Bank of China, ICBC, CCB and ABC are the safest place to exchange money, and that airport counters charge high fees. Wendy Wu Tours says unused yuan can be converted back at international departure airports with a passport, ticket and receipts.
- Watch out for
- Foreign visitors can register Alipay or WeChat Pay with a passport and mobile number and link a foreign card (Alipay takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover and UnionPay per Trip.com; China Briefing reports a US$5,000 single payment limit), but some small merchants only accept China-issued cards. Scan only QR codes shown by real shops, and inspect notes for counterfeits at exchange desks (Wendy Wu Tours).
Tipping in China
Tipping isn't customary and may be refused. Tour guides and drivers are the exception.
Not expected: Tipping isn't customary, and you can skip it without offence.
Sources checked: Trip.com, China Briefing, Wendy Wu Tours, The Register, Indochina Tour, Wendy Wu Tours.
Convert to and from CNY
Quick reference
| Amount | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.65 CNY | 7.45 CNY | 8.93 CNY |
| 10 | 66.53 CNY | 74.53 CNY | 89.27 CNY |
| 50 | 333 CNY | 373 CNY | 446 CNY |
| 100 | 665 CNY | 745 CNY | 893 CNY |
| 500 | 3,326 CNY | 3,727 CNY | 4,464 CNY |
What each amount is worth in CNY. Mid-market rates from 2 November 2026, 17:00 UTC.
Common questions
What currency does China use?
China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY).
Do you need to tip in China?
Not expected. Tipping isn't customary and may be refused. Tour guides and drivers are the exception.
Can you pay by card in China?
Limited. China Briefing and The Register report that Chinese authorities say businesses must accept RMB cash and that refusing it can bring penalties. Cash is still useful in small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas, but Wendy Wu Tours warns that some supermarkets and market stalls may not take it.
Are there ATMs in China?
Foreign cards work at ATMs showing Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay logos, and withdrawals are in RMB. Wendy Wu Tours says many ATMs outside major cities only work with Chinese bank cards, and advises using Bank of China ATMs.