Question 1

What is the currency of China?

Accepted Answer

The currency is the Renminbi (RMB, meaning “the people's currency”), with the basic unit being the yuan (CNY). One yuan divides into 10 jiao. The fen (1/100 yuan) exists in theory but is no longer in circulation. Banknotes come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan; coins in 1 yuan, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. The 100 yuan note is the largest denomination, which surprises visitors used to bigger notes — it is roughly a mid-range lunch for two, so cash adds up in bulk quickly.

Question 2

How do I set up Alipay and WeChat Pay as a foreigner?

Accepted Answer

Download the Alipay app, go to “Me” then “Bank Cards”, add your Visa or Mastercard, and complete passport verification. You will need to set a six-digit payment PIN. The process takes a few minutes. For WeChat Pay, open WeChat, go to “Me” then “Services” then “Wallet” and add your card. Both apps require your card name to match your passport exactly. Set both up before arriving in China — the app stores and verification services you need are much harder to reach from a mainland connection than from your own.

Question 3

Do ATMs in China accept foreign cards?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ATMs at major Chinese banks (Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank) accept foreign Visa, Mastercard and in many cases UnionPay-affiliated cards. Look for the Visa/Mastercard logos on the ATM. They are widely available in cities — railway stations, airports, shopping areas — but scarce in smaller towns and rural regions. Expect withdrawal fees from both the Chinese bank and your home bank.

Question 4

Can I use my credit card directly at shops and restaurants?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. International credit cards work at upscale hotels, some department stores and airport outlets in major cities, but the vast majority of everyday commerce — from restaurants to convenience stores to taxis — runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay QR codes. If you haven't linked your card to one of these apps, you will struggle with daily payments.

Question 5

Do Apple Pay and Google Pay work in China?

Accepted Answer

Google Pay is not usable in mainland China — Google services are not reachable on mainland networks and the Play Store does not operate there, so install anything you need before you arrive. Apple Pay is technically supported, but with a foreign-issued card it only works at terminals that accept your card's network (Visa or Mastercard), which is uncommon outside upscale hotels and chain stores. The practical mobile-tap equivalent is Alipay's in-app NFC tap-to-pay, which becomes available once you have linked your foreign card. For everyday spending, the QR-code scan via Alipay or WeChat Pay remains the dominant flow.

Question 6

Is tipping expected in China?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not customary in mainland China and is not expected at restaurants, taxis or hotels. In fact, offering a tip can sometimes cause confusion. High-end international hotels and restaurants that cater to foreign guests may add a service charge. Tour guides and drivers on organised tours may appreciate a small gratuity, but it is never obligatory. Hong Kong follows different conventions — tipping is more common there.

Question 7

Should I exchange money before I travel?

Accepted Answer

Exchanging a small amount of yuan before departure can be useful for immediate expenses on arrival (taxi, SIM card, first meal), but exchange rates at home-country banks tend to be poor for CNY. The best approach is to arrive with your Alipay/WeChat Pay linked, withdraw yuan from a Chinese bank ATM at the airport for immediate cash needs, and rely primarily on mobile payments for everything else.

Question 8

How expensive is China for travellers?

Accepted Answer

China offers strong value for money, and quoting it in yuan is more useful than converting, since yuan is what you will be spending. Reckon on roughly 10–25 CNY for a street-food dish, 40–110 CNY a head for a sit-down restaurant meal, 300–600 CNY a night for a mid-range hotel, and 40–190 CNY for admission to a major attraction. High-speed rail over a medium distance runs about 250–600 CNY and a domestic flight 400–1,100 CNY — see the China transport guide for which of the two to choose. Eating is where the value is most obvious, and the China food guide covers what to order; Beijing and Shanghai sit noticeably above second-tier cities and the countryside on every line of this list.

Money in China

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