What Currency Does China Use? Everything You Need to Know

Understanding what currency China uses is useful before exchanging money, setting up mobile payments, or making everyday purchases during your trip.

China’s currency is the renminbi (RMB), and prices are commonly expressed in yuan. You may come across several related terms while traveling, which this guide explains in the sections below.

You’ll also learn about Chinese banknotes and coins, exchanging money, and the payment methods available to travelers. A China eSIM can help you stay connected when using payment apps and managing other travel essentials.

Renminbi, Yuan, RMB, and CNY Explained

What the Names Mean

Renminbi, meaning “people’s currency,” is the official name of mainland China’s currency. Yuan is the main unit used to state a price, much as sterling is the currency name and the pound is its unit.

RMB is the common abbreviation for renminbi, while CNY is the ISO currency code used for the onshore Chinese yuan. CNH is a market convention for renminbi traded offshore; it is not a separate set of tourist cash.

Hong Kong and Macao have separate currencies—the Hong Kong dollar and Macanese pataca—so do not assume a mainland CNY wallet balance or a stack of yuan notes is the normal way to pay throughout all three places.

Everyday Terms and Subunits

One yuan equals 10 jiao, and one jiao equals 10 fen. Jiao and fen are legal subunits, although very small values appear less often in day-to-day tourist purchases.

In conversation, you may hear kuai used for yuan and mao used for jiao. A vendor asking for “20 kuai” means 20 yuan; these are spoken terms, not different currencies or extra fees.

Chinese Banknotes and Coins

Banknotes

Common yuan banknotes are ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, and ¥100. Smaller jiao notes may still circulate, but visitors are more likely to encounter the main yuan denominations.

¥100 is the largest commonly used banknote, not an unusually high-value note. Break large notes at a hotel, bank, supermarket, or other established business if a small vendor lacks change.

Coins

Travelers may receive ¥1, 5-jiao, and 1-jiao coins. Fen coins exist but are uncommon in ordinary visitor transactions, especially where totals are rounded or paid digitally.

Keep a few small denominations for buses, vending machines, markets, or change. Include that cash backup in your China packing list rather than assuming every machine or merchant accepts one payment method.

Current Exchange Rates to Chinese Yuan

Exchange rates change constantly, but the figures below give travelers a quick idea of how several major currencies compare with the Chinese yuan.

Reference rates as of September 28, 2026. Exchange rates fluctuate throughout the day.

For the latest rates, check the Bank of China Exchange Rate page before exchanging money or making a large purchase.

The amount you actually receive may differ from the reference rate because banks, ATMs, card providers, and exchange services can apply their own rates, fees, or conversion markups.

How to Get and Exchange Chinese Yuan

You can get Chinese yuan before your trip or after arriving in China. For most travelers, banks, authorized exchange services, and ATMs are the main options.

Rates and fees vary, so compare the total cost rather than the advertised exchange rate alone.

Banks and Licensed Exchange Services

Major banks and authorized currency exchange services can convert supported foreign currencies into RMB. You may need to show your passport, and available currencies can vary between branches.

Banks can be useful when exchanging larger amounts because the rate and applicable fees are shown as part of the transaction. Keep your exchange receipt, especially if you may want to convert unused RMB before leaving China.

Airport and Hotel Exchange Services

International airports often have banks or authorized currency exchange counters where you can obtain RMB shortly after arrival.

They are convenient when you need cash immediately for transport or other small expenses, although the rate or fees may be less favorable than other options.

Some larger hotels may also provide currency exchange services for guests, but supported currencies, opening hours, and exchange limits can vary. Check the rate and any service fee before completing the transaction.

Withdraw CNY from ATMs

ATMs can be a convenient way to obtain RMB without carrying large amounts of foreign cash. Look for an ATM that displays your card network and, when possible, use machines located at banks or other secure locations.

Before confirming a withdrawal, check any ATM fee shown on screen. Your own bank may also charge an international withdrawal or foreign transaction fee.

If the ATM offers to charge the withdrawal in your home currency instead of CNY, compare the conversion carefully. This service, often called dynamic currency conversion (DCC), uses a conversion rate set by the ATM or its provider and may include an additional markup. Choosing to be charged in CNY generally allows your card network or issuer to handle the currency conversion instead.

Because foreign-card acceptance can vary between ATMs, carrying a second card provides a useful backup.

How Tourists Can Pay in China

Official guidance lists bank cards, mobile payment, cash, bank accounts, and e-CNY as available payment methods. The China payment service guide explains current setup principles for overseas visitors.

Set Up Alipay or Weixin Pay

Foreign visitors can register supported payment apps with a foreign or Chinese mobile number and follow the prompts to bind an eligible overseas bank card. The app may request identity verification, and the issuing bank must authorize the connection.

Complete setup before a critical travel day, keep international SMS or another bank-verification channel available, and test a small purchase. Supported card brands, limits, fees, and functions vary by product and can change, so use the current in-app agreement instead of relying on an old screenshot or fixed fee claim.

Use QR Codes at Checkout

There are two common checkout flows. You may scan the merchant’s collection code, enter or confirm the amount, and approve the payment; or you may open your personal payment code for the cashier’s scanner. Check the merchant and amount before authorizing either flow.

Both methods normally need a working data connection, and transport functions may require a city selection or separate identity check. Never hand over your payment password, card PIN, or one-time bank verification code to someone offering to “help” with the transaction.

International Credit and Debit Cards

Cards work where the merchant displays the corresponding network logo, especially at larger hotels, attractions, malls, and restaurants. Acceptance is not universal, and an overseas issuer may still decline a legitimate transaction or require app confirmation.

Card use is often easier in major visitor hubs. If you plan to travel to Beijing, bring the physical card, know its PIN, check any issuer travel controls, and select CNY if a terminal offers a home-currency conversion.

RMB Cash

Cash remains a valid and useful option even though mobile payments dominate many daily transactions. Carry smaller notes because a merchant may not have enough change for ¥100.

Store a small RMB backup separately from your main wallet so one lost bag does not remove every payment option. Refill it through secure, documented channels.

Money Safety and Budgeting Tips

Use More Than One Payment Method

Bring at least two of the following: mobile wallet, international card, and RMB cash. A practical failure order is to retry with the second wallet or card, switch to the physical card where its network is accepted, and use the small cash reserve when an app, phone, or network fails.

Keep emergency cash, a second card, and bank contact details in separate secure places. Never share a payment code, PIN, or one-time verification message with a stranger.

Avoid Counterfeit and Exchange Scams

Obtain cash from banks, licensed exchange counters, or secure compatible ATMs. Do not use an unknown person offering a better street rate, and do not rely on an unverified phone app to declare a note genuine.

If a note is questioned, ask a bank or established business for help. Record exchange and ATM details instead of arguing with an individual seller.

Understand Cash Declaration Limits

China Customs states that travelers carrying more than RMB 20,000 in cash, or foreign-currency cash worth more than USD 5,000, must declare it when entering or leaving. Documentation from entry can affect how foreign cash is handled on departure.

Read the current official passenger customs guide before carrying large amounts. Rules for leaving your home country or entering the next destination apply separately.

Track the Real Cost

Budget in yuan, then convert totals into your home currency for context. Record accommodation, transport, food, tickets, shopping, and a contingency amount instead of watching only the daily cash balance.

Tipping is not normally expected for everyday taxis, casual restaurants, or routine services in mainland China. Private guides, international hotels, or organized tours may follow different practices or add a service charge, so check the invoice or tour terms before including gratuities in the budget.

A practical China shopping guide can help identify purchases that need extra room for customs, tax-refund, warranty, or packing costs.

FAQ

1. Does China Use the Yen?

No. Mainland China uses the renminbi (RMB), with the yuan as its main unit. The yen (JPY) is the currency of Japan.

2. Why Is the Yuan So Strong?

The yuan’s value is influenced by China’s economy, trade, monetary policy, capital flows, and the way the exchange rate is managed. Its strength can change over time against currencies such as the US dollar.

3. What Is a Good Salary in China?

A good salary depends heavily on the city, industry, experience, and living costs. Salaries that provide a comfortable lifestyle in smaller cities may feel more limited in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen.

4. Is Cash or Card Better for Paying in China?

Neither is always better. Mobile payments are widely used, while cash and bank cards remain useful alternatives, so travelers should ideally have more than one payment method available.

Conclusion

China’s currency is the renminbi, the main unit is the yuan, and CNY is the international code travelers usually see on financial systems.

Mobile wallets are convenient, international cards work at participating merchants, and RMB cash remains an important backup. The most reliable plan is a payment mix you have set up and tested before a critical purchase.

Compare the full cost of exchange, keep receipts and backup funds separate, and check customs rules before carrying large amounts. With those safeguards in place, paying day to day becomes a routine part of the trip rather than a source of stress.