Please note that the information provided here is for reference purposes only. Ensure you verify any related information directly from the official resource to avoid any misinformation or understandings: https://www.mct.gov.cn/
The Currency of China
The official currency of China is the renminbi (abbreviated RMB or CNY), also called yuan. Yuan come in 1, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan notes and 1-yuan coins. Each yuan divides into 10 jiao. The country also uses 5 jiao and 1 jiao coins.
Payment Methods
The most convenient payments methods in China are cash, credit card and digital payment. In terms of credit cards, most business accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay and JCB. Digital payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are also widely accepted in China.
To use digital payments, you can download the overseas version of the Alipay app to your smartphone and then apply for an electronic spending card through the “TourPass” applet in the app. To use the spending card, you will need to verify your identity and then add an overseas bank card to top it up. The card can then be used to make payments across the country wherever a blue Alipay QR code is displayed, allowing you to experience China like a local, paying for anything from fruit and veg to dinners, hotel bills, and travel tickets with just the mobile phone in your hand.
Mobile payment
Alipay
WeChat Pay
UnionPay
Bank Card
Bank cards issued in your home country/region can be accepted if the logos of your bank cards, such as UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard and other paymentorganizations, are displayed at the checkout counter (see picture below).
If not, please ask the cashier whetheryour bank card can be accepted. If you hold a UnionPaycard, it can be accepted by all merchant POS terminals in China’s mainland.
e-Wallet
Some international e-wallets are accepted by merchants in China. You can pay directly with the e-wallets listed in this page without downloading other app.
Cash
You can withdraw RMB cash from ATMs that acceptinternational bank cards at the port of entry, where youcan also exchange other currencies for RMB through exchange service providers or self-service exchangemachines. In downtown areas, you can still get RMB cash via these methods.
Authorized currency exchanges, some hotels, bank branches and currency exchange kiosks also provide currency exchange services. Usually, there is an eye-catching “exchange” sign on display so you may findthem easily.
Kindly note that you can convert your remaining RMB cash back to your own currency or other majorcurrencies in downtown areas or at the port of exit withthe help of currency exchange service providers.
