Quick Answer: What Money Does China Use?
China uses the Renminbi (RMB), usually called yuan in daily use. The international currency code is CNY, and the symbol is ¥. For travelers, the bigger issue is not only what the currency is called, but how to pay in China. In my experience, you should treat mobile payment as the main payment method and RMB cash as a useful backup.
Official currency: Renminbi (RMB), written in Chinese as 人民币.
Main unit: Yuan (元), the basic unit used for prices.
Currency code: CNY, used in exchange rates and international banking.
Common spoken words: People often say kuai (块) for yuan and mao (毛) for jiao in daily speech.
Best payment methods: Alipay, WeChat Pay, RMB cash, and UnionPay cards are the most useful options.
Travel tip: Set up a payment app before or soon after arrival, but still carry some small RMB notes for backup.
RMB, Yuan, CNY, and ¥: What Is the Difference?
The names can feel confusing at first, but the logic is simple. Renminbi is the official name of China’s currency, yuan is the main unit, CNY is the international currency code, and ¥ is the symbol used for prices. In daily life, Chinese people usually say yuan or kuai, not “Renminbi.”
| Term | Meaning | Best Way to Understand It |
|---|---|---|
| Renminbi | The official name of China’s currency | Like saying “Chinese currency” |
| RMB | Common abbreviation for Renminbi | Often used in travel guides, prices, and casual English writing |
| Yuan | The main unit of Renminbi | Like “dollar” as a money unit |
| CNY | International currency code | Used in exchange rates, banks, and financial systems |
| ¥ | Currency symbol | Used before prices, such as ¥100 |
| Kuai | Spoken word for yuan | Common in daily conversation, such as “10 kuai” |
| Mao | Spoken word for jiao | Used for small amounts, such as “5 mao” |
What Banknotes and Coins Does China Use?
China uses both banknotes and coins, all issued by the People’s Bank of China. Cash is still legal money across the country, although many daily payments are now made by QR code through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Small change is less common than before, but it is still useful in some local shops, rural areas, older neighborhoods, or backup situations.
Basic unit: 1 yuan (元) = 10 jiao (角) = 100 fen (分).
Common banknotes: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, and ¥100.
Common coins: ¥1 coin, 5 jiao coin, and 1 jiao coin.
Small units: Jiao still appears in small prices, but fen is rarely used in everyday transactions.
Issuer: Chinese banknotes and coins are issued by the People’s Bank of China.
Travel note: ¥100 notes are common, but carrying smaller notes such as ¥10, ¥20, and ¥50 can be more convenient for small purchases.
Can You Use Cash in China?
Yes. RMB cash is legal tender in China, and normal face-to-face businesses should support valid Renminbi cash unless a specific legal exception applies. In practice, however, cash is no longer the fastest way to pay in most Chinese cities. Many sellers prefer QR-code payments because they are quicker and easier to process.
Cash is legal: RMB banknotes and coins are valid for local payment.
Where cash helps: Small notes are useful for backup, older neighborhoods, rural areas, small shops, or payment-app problems.
Where cash feels slower: Restaurants, convenience stores, taxis, attractions, and city services usually move faster with Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Main risk: Small sellers may not have enough change for large ¥100 notes.
Best travel rule: Do not travel with cash only. Use mobile payment as your main method and RMB cash as backup.
How Do People Pay in China Today?
China is now a mobile-payment-first country. Cash still works legally, but most daily payments are made by scanning QR codes with Alipay or WeChat Pay. For travelers, the safest setup is one mobile payment app, some RMB cash, and a backup card.
| Payment Method | How Common It Is | Best For | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Very common | Shops, restaurants, transport, attractions | Foreign cards can be linked through Alipay’s international traveler options. |
| WeChat Pay | Very common | Daily payments, taxis, small vendors | Useful if you also use WeChat; foreign visitor payment options have expanded. |
| Cash RMB | Legally accepted | Backup, small purchases, older areas, rural travel | Not always preferred, and large notes may be hard to break. |
| UnionPay | Widely accepted | Hotels, malls, ATMs, larger merchants | It is the most useful card network inside China. |
| Visa / Mastercard | Limited outside major places | International hotels, luxury stores, airports, some large chains | Do not rely on it as your only payment method. |
| Foreign currency | Usually not accepted | Exchange only | Use RMB for local spending; shops and restaurants usually do not take USD, EUR, or other foreign cash. |
Can Foreigners Use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?
Yes. Foreign visitors can now use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China more easily than before. Alipay lets overseas travelers link major international bank cards for mainland China payments, and WeChat Pay has expanded options for foreign visitors. Tencent has also announced PayPal-linked access to WeChat Pay’s QR-code merchant network, starting with U.S. users.
Set this up before arrival if possible. Verification, card linking, phone-number checks, spending limits, bank security blocks, or weak mobile data can still cause problems.
Alipay: Often the easiest first choice for foreign travelers because its international traveler setup is clear.
WeChat Pay: Very useful if you also use WeChat for messaging, taxis, mini-programs, or local services.
PayPal-linked WeChat Pay: Useful for eligible users as the rollout expands, but do not treat it as your only payment plan yet.
Backup plan: Carry some RMB cash and at least one bank card in case your app, card, or network fails.
Practical rule: Prepare mobile payment first, then use cash and cards as backup.
Can You Use Foreign Credit Cards in China?
Yes, but foreign credit cards are not accepted as widely as in many Western countries. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express work best in international hotels, airports, high-end malls, luxury stores, and some tourist-facing services. They are much less reliable for local restaurants, taxis, markets, street food, small shops, metro systems, and neighborhood spending.
Best chance of acceptance: International hotels, airport counters, luxury malls, major tourist services, and some large chains.
Lower chance of acceptance: Small restaurants, taxis, local markets, street food, metro systems, and older neighborhoods.
Main problem: Many local merchants are set up for QR-code payment, not foreign card terminals.
Best solution: Link a supported card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip.
Travel rule: Do not rely on a foreign credit card alone. Use it as backup, not your main payment method.
Can You Use US Dollars, Euros, or Hong Kong Dollars in China?
No. Foreign currency is generally not accepted for everyday purchases in mainland China. Shops, restaurants, taxis, metro systems, supermarkets, attractions, and small vendors normally expect RMB cash or mobile payment in RMB.
Use RMB for daily spending: Meals, transport, tickets, shopping, and local services are priced in yuan.
Exchange foreign cash first: Use banks, airport counters, hotels, or authorized exchange services.
Do not expect foreign cash acceptance: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and HKD are not normal retail payment currencies in mainland China.
Hong Kong and Macau are different: Hong Kong uses HKD, Macau uses MOP, but mainland China uses RMB.
Best travel rule: Bring or withdraw RMB, and prepare Alipay or WeChat Pay for daily use.
Where Can You Exchange Money in China?
You can exchange money in China at airports, banks, some hotels, authorized exchange counters, or through ATMs if your card supports overseas withdrawal. For most travelers, the practical setup is simple: get a small amount of RMB cash first, then use mobile payment for most daily spending.
Airports: Convenient for first-arrival cash, but rates and fees may be less favorable.
Banks: Reliable for major currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and HKD. Bring your passport and expect paperwork.
ATMs: Useful if your bank card supports international withdrawal. Check overseas fees and card-network support first.
Authorized exchange counters: Available in some commercial and tourist areas. Use only licensed counters.
Hotels: Some international hotels exchange money for guests, but rates may be less competitive.
What to avoid: Do not exchange money with strangers, street agents, or unofficial shops.
Practical rule: Exchange enough RMB for backup, not a large travel fund.
How Much Cash Should You Carry in China?
For most city travelers, carry a small RMB backup rather than a large stack of cash. Around ¥300–¥800 is usually enough for backup meals, taxis, small shops, or payment-app problems.
City travel: ¥300–¥800 is enough for most short-term backup needs.
Short stays: If Alipay or WeChat Pay is working, ¥300–¥500 is usually fine.
Longer trips: Carry ¥500–¥800, especially if you move between cities.
Rural areas or older neighborhoods: Carry more small notes because cash backup matters more.
Best denominations: Keep ¥10, ¥20, and ¥50 notes. Do not rely only on ¥100 notes.
My rule: Use mobile payment first, but keep enough cash to handle one full day if your app or card stops working.
Common Money Mistakes Travelers Make in China
Most money problems in China come from relying on the wrong payment setup. The currency is simple; payment access is the part that needs planning.
Arriving without setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Assuming Visa, Mastercard, or American Express works everywhere.
Carrying only ¥100 notes and no smaller bills.
Expecting shops, taxis, attractions, or restaurants to accept USD, EUR, or other foreign currency.
Confusing Renminbi, RMB, yuan, CNY, and kuai.
Ignoring foreign card fees, ATM fees, or exchange-rate margins.
Depending on only one payment method.
Carrying no RMB cash as backup.
Testing your payment app for the first time at checkout.
Forgetting that network issues, verification, card limits, or bank security blocks can stop a payment.
Summary: Best Way to Handle Money in China
The best way to handle money in China is to use RMB for all local spending, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival, and carry a small RMB cash backup. Foreign currency is not useful for daily purchases, and foreign credit cards should not be your only plan.
Use RMB: Mainland China uses Renminbi, usually called yuan in daily life.
Set up mobile payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay should be your main daily payment method.
Carry backup cash: Keep about ¥300–¥800 for small purchases, taxis, or app problems.
Keep one card backup: Bring an international credit or debit card for hotels, ATMs, or emergencies.
Avoid foreign currency spending: USD, EUR, GBP, and HKD are not normal retail currencies in mainland China.
Use small notes: ¥10, ¥20, and ¥50 notes are easier than only ¥100 notes.
Best setup: Mobile payment first, RMB cash second, international card third.
