Getting Chinese Yuan for Your Trip

China has undergone a massive transformation in how people pay for things. While cash (called Renminbi or RMB, with Yuan as the unit) still exists, mobile payments via WeChat Pay and Alipay have become so dominant that many locals no longer carry wallets.

For tourists in 2026, this creates both opportunities and challenges. The good news: since 2024, both WeChat Pay and Alipay allow international visitors to link foreign cards directly. The challenge: you'll need to set these up to fully participate in Chinese commerce, as foreign credit cards have very limited acceptance outside major hotels and airports.

Key insight for 2026: China is essentially a mobile-payment-first economy. Even street food vendors, small shops, and taxis prefer QR code payments. Setting up WeChat Pay or Alipay before your trip is no longer optional — it's essential for a smooth experience.

The Chinese Yuan (CNY) comes in notes of ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, and ¥100. The ¥100 note (roughly £11) is the largest, so you may carry significant bundles for cash purchases. Coins include ¥1, 5 jiao (¥0.50), and 1 jiao (¥0.10).

Best Ways to Get Yuan Before You Travel

Your approach to China money should be different from most destinations. Here's the priority order:

1. Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay (Essential) — Download the app before you travel, register with your passport, and link your international Visa or Mastercard. This will cover 90%+ of your transactions. WeChat is slightly more widely used; Alipay works at more tourist spots.
2. Multi-currency card for ATM backup (Wise, Revolut) — Bring a card that works at Chinese ATMs. Bank of China and ICBC ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards. Withdraw Yuan for the few situations where mobile payment doesn't work.
3. Order small amount of Yuan before travel — Having ¥500-1,000 on arrival helps for immediate expenses if your mobile payment isn't working yet. UK post offices and currency specialists can supply CNY.
4. Exchange at Chinese banks on arrival — Bank of China branches at airports and in cities offer fair rates. Keep your exchange receipts if you want to convert unused Yuan back.

Avoid: Exchanging at UK banks (poor rates, limited availability), exchanging at airport bureaux in the UK (very poor rates), and relying solely on cash or foreign credit cards.

Mobile Payments in China: WeChat Pay & Alipay

Understanding mobile payments is crucial for travelling in China. Here's how to set them up and use them:

Setting Up WeChat Pay

WeChat (微信) is China's super-app for messaging, social media, and payments. To use WeChat Pay as a tourist:

• Download WeChat from your app store before arrival
• Register with your phone number and passport details
• Go to "Me" → "Services" → "Wallet" → "Cards" → "Add Card"
• Link your international Visa or Mastercard (since 2024, this works directly)
• Complete identity verification with your passport

Setting Up Alipay

Alipay (支付宝) is equally widespread and often has better tourist-friendly features:

• Download Alipay from your app store
• Register with your phone number and select "International" version
• Link your international card in the "Me" → "Bank Cards" section
• Tourist accounts have spending limits but sufficient for typical travel

Where Mobile Payments Work

• Everywhere in cities — Restaurants, shops, convenience stores, street food, taxis
• Metro and transport — Scan to pay in most cities
• Markets — Even tiny stalls have QR codes
• Hotels — Bill payment, minibars, room service
• Tourist attractions — Entry tickets, souvenirs

Where You'll Still Need Cash

• Very rural areas — Some remote villages, older vendors
• Technical failures — When internet is slow or apps don't work
• Some traditional markets — Older sellers who prefer cash
• Backup — Always carry ¥500-1,000 for emergencies

Using Cards in China

Foreign credit and debit cards have very limited acceptance in mainland China. UnionPay is the dominant card network; Visa and Mastercard are accepted only at international-standard businesses.

Where Foreign Cards Work

• International hotels — Major chains (Marriott, Hilton, IHG) accept Visa/Mastercard
• Airports — Most airport shops and restaurants
• High-end restaurants — Western chains and luxury dining
• Large department stores — Some international brands
• Tourist-oriented businesses — Especially in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou

Where Foreign Cards Don't Work

• Local restaurants — 95%+ are mobile payment or cash only
• Shops — Local businesses don't accept foreign cards
• Transport — Metro, buses, taxis (use mobile payment)
• Convenience stores — Even 7-Eleven rarely accepts foreign cards
• Markets — Cash or mobile payment only

Bottom line: Don't plan to rely on your foreign cards for daily spending in China. They're useful only for hotel payments and as ATM cards.

Withdrawing Cash from ATMs in China

ATMs are widely available in Chinese cities. Look for these banks for the most reliable foreign card acceptance:

Best ATMs for Foreign Cards

• Bank of China (中国银行) — Most reliable for international cards, English menus available
• ICBC (工商银行) — Industrial and Commercial Bank, good foreign card acceptance
• China Construction Bank (建设银行) — Generally works with foreign cards
• HSBC — Available in major cities, excellent for foreign cards
• Citibank — In Shanghai, Beijing — full international card support

ATM Tips

• Daily limits — Most ATMs limit withdrawals to ¥2,500-3,000 per transaction, ¥10,000-20,000 per day
• Decline DCC — Always choose to be charged in CNY, not your home currency
• Airport ATMs — Bank of China ATMs at airports are reliable but may have queues
• Notify your bank — Let them know you're travelling to China to prevent blocks
• Fees — Chinese ATMs rarely charge fees; your home bank may charge 1-3%

Exchanging Money in China

If you need to exchange cash rather than use ATMs:

Best Places to Exchange

• Bank of China — Best rates, requires passport, keep receipts
• Airport Bank of China counters — Fair rates, convenient on arrival
• Hotel front desks — Convenient but poorer rates (1-3% worse)

What to Know

• Keep receipts — Required if you want to convert unused Yuan back to foreign currency
• Limits — Foreigners can exchange up to $500 equivalent per day without documentation
• Passport required — Always bring your passport when exchanging money