China Travel Money Guide
China is the world's most cashless major economy — but it runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, which are tricky for short visits.
Capital: Beijing · Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Paying by card
Foreign Visa/Mastercard now work via Alipay and WeChat Pay (link your card in the app). Cash is accepted but rare. Many small vendors only take QR codes.
Cash and ATMs
Use Bank of China, ICBC, or HSBC ATMs. Always carry ¥200-500 as backup since not every vendor accepts foreign cards.
Tipping
Not customary. May even be refused.
Scams to avoid
The 'tea ceremony' scam in Beijing/Shanghai, art-student gallery invites, and inflated taxi fares from airports. Use DiDi.
What CNY amounts are worth
| CNY | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 CNY | 1.49 | 1.31 | 1.13 |
| 50 CNY | 7.46 | 6.57 | 5.63 |
| 100 CNY | 14.92 | 13.14 | 11.26 |
| 500 CNY | 74.59 | 65.69 | 56.31 |
Rates are European Central Bank reference rates for 29 Sept 2026 (published each working day around 16:00 CET; the UAE dirham uses its official US-dollar peg of 3.6725). The live converter loads the latest rate when the page opens.
Over the 30 days of ECB data to 29 Sept 2026, one US dollar bought 0.26% fewer CNY and one euro 2.73% fewer.
Before you go
- When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in CNY; the conversion it offers usually includes a wide margin.
- Tell your bank you are travelling and carry two cards on different networks in case one is declined.
- Check your card's foreign transaction fee and put it in the budget converter's fee field.
Budget the trip with the travel budget converter, see all CNY rates, or browse more country guides.