You have heard friends rave about dumplings in Shanghai, neon nights in Chengdu and sunrise over the Great Wall, but there is one simple question to sort out before you go. What currency does China use and how do you actually pay for things once you land. In this friendly guide I explain the name of the currency, how locals talk about money, the notes and coins you will see, and the easiest ways to pay from cash to mobile. I also include practical tips from many trips that will save you time and avoid avoidable fees.
The quick answer
China uses the renminbi as its official currency. Renminbi is the currency name, while yuan is the main unit you will spend. You will often see the symbol A5 and the ISO code CNY. Banks and media sometimes write RMB as a shorthand. If you see CNH, that is the offshore version of the yuan traded outside mainland China.
Renminbi vs yuan vs CNY vs CNH
Think of renminbi as the currency family and yuan as the unit in that family. It is similar to sterling and pound in the United Kingdom. CNY is the international code for pricing and settlement in the mainland market. CNH refers to the yuan traded in places like Hong Kong and Singapore where the rate can differ slightly due to offshore supply and demand.
Symbol and avoiding mix ups with the yen
The symbol A5 is shared with the Japanese yen. To avoid confusion, amounts in China are often written as RMB 100 or CNY 100, especially in international contexts. On shop signs inside China you will simply see the symbol or the Chinese character for yuan after the number.
Denominations and everyday language
The yuan divides into jiao and fen. One yuan equals ten jiao and one jiao equals ten fen. In day to day speech, people almost always say kuai for yuan and mao for jiao. In a cafe you might hear eight kuai seven mao for 8.70 yuan. Fen are rarely used in daily life.
Banknotes and coins you will see
The most common banknotes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan. Coins you will encounter most often are 1 yuan, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Very small coins exist but are uncommon. Prices are often rounded to the nearest yuan in smaller shops and markets.
How amounts are written and spoken
When reading a price tag, 58 is fifty eight yuan. If a cashier says five kuai, they mean five yuan. For decimals, locals prefer yuan and jiao in speech rather than decimal points. Once you hear it a few times you will find it straightforward.
How to pay in China today
Over the last few years I have watched payment habits in China shift from cash first to mobile first. You can still use cash and you will find ATMs in cities and transport hubs, but the most seamless way to pay in big cities is a QR code wallet on your phone.
Cash
Cash remains useful in small eateries, local markets and rural areas. Arrive with some yuan or withdraw at a bank ATM on arrival. Decline dynamic currency conversion at terminals so that your card issuer handles the exchange rate. Keep a few small notes handy for taxis and vending machines.
Cards
International credit and debit cards are accepted by many hotels, museums, airports and large chains in major cities. Smaller merchants may not accept foreign cards. UnionPay is the dominant local card network, and many terminals are configured first for UnionPay. A travel rewards card can still be handy for larger purchases. If you are collecting points, see practical ways to optimise in this guide on the best credit card for travel points.
Mobile payments with a foreign card
WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted by street stalls, taxis and convenience stores. Recent updates allow many visitors to link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to these apps and pay by QR in major cities. Registration, supported cards and top up limits can change, so set up before you go if the option is available in your region and always keep a small cash backup.
Digital yuan e A0CNY
China is piloting an official central bank digital version of the renminbi called e A0CNY. In select cities you can download the e A0CNY app, verify your identity and use it at participating merchants. It works like a wallet that can function even when a bank app is not available. Availability and top up methods for visitors vary by city.
Exchanging and managing money
Where to get yuan
You can exchange at your home bank, at airports, or at licensed counters in cities. Rates at airports are convenient but often less competitive. ATMs from large banks in China usually offer fair rates plus any fees your bank charges. Avoid unlicensed street changers.
ATMs and fees
ATMs are common in cities and transport hubs. Inform your bank of travel plans and ask about foreign withdrawal fees. Many machines allow you to choose language options. Decline conversion when a screen offers to bill you in your home currency and choose to be charged in yuan.
Avoiding counterfeit notes
Counterfeit risk has dropped with newer designs, yet caution is sensible. Check for a watermark portrait, a security thread and colour shifting ink on larger notes. Use ATMs inside bank branches, and get change from reputable shops or hotel desks. If a merchant claims a note is fake, ask them to return the note and request a receipt at a bank if you go to verify it.
Tipping and small change
Tipping is not a general custom in mainland China. Upscale hotels and tour guides may accept a small tip. Keep small notes for short rides, locker fees and small snacks. Many places now accept QR for tiny amounts, but coins and low notes still smooth the occasional glitch.
Background and key milestones
A short history
Modern renminbi banknotes were first issued in the late nineteen forties during the foundation of the People A0s Republic of China to stabilise prices after years of inflation. Over time the currency was redenominated and redesigned, with security features added and denominations standardised. The current widely used series includes banknotes from one to one hundred yuan.
Exchange rate framework
China uses a managed float system where the yuan trades within a band that references a basket of currencies. The policy has evolved over time from a fixed link to the dollar to a more flexible approach. For travellers, the headline point is simple. Your card issuer or exchange service will convert between your currency and CNY at prevailing market rates plus any fees.
International role and SDR
The renminbi joined the International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights basket in twenty sixteen, a milestone that reflected its growing use in trade and reserves. Offshore trading in CNH gives global investors additional access and can result in small price differences between onshore and offshore markets.
Outside mainland China
Hong Kong and Macau use their own legal tenders, the Hong Kong dollar and the Macanese pataca. Many shops in those cities informally accept yuan at posted rates, but change may be given in the local currency. In Taiwan the legal tender is the New Taiwan dollar. You can exchange yuan at banks and counters where permitted.
What it is like on the ground
On recent trips my routine has been straightforward. I carry a few hundred yuan in small notes for taxis, local noodle shops and tipping guides on private excursions. I pay hotels by card to keep card protections and earn rewards. In larger cities I use QR payments at convenience stores and coffee shops, which are faster than counting change. This hybrid approach has kept costs predictable and logistics smooth.
Budgeting and cost control tips
Daily costs vary by city and travel style. Street food and metro rides are often great value, while fine dining and high speed trains can add up. Set a daily cash allowance and review card alerts to track spending. For broader ideas on stretching a travel budget without feeling deprived, you can browse these saving money tips and general money mindset advice on mastering your money mindset.
Common points of confusion, cleared up
Is it yuan or renminbi
Both are correct. Renminbi is the currency, yuan is the unit. When speaking prices, say yuan or kuai. When writing for international readers, CNY or RMB is clear.
Why are there two codes, CNY and CNH
CNY is for the onshore market. CNH is the offshore market. The difference matters to traders, not to most visitors buying a coffee.
Do I need to use the symbol
Not at all. You can always write CNY 50 or RMB 50 and be understood in banks and travel planning.
Quick reference
A5 symbol. Currency name renminbi. Main unit yuan. Subunits jiao and fen. Common notes 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100. Common coins 1 yuan, 5 jiao, 1 jiao. Slang kuai and mao. Code CNY. Offshore code CNH.
China uses the renminbi and you spend it in yuan. With a little preparation you can combine small amounts of cash with card and mobile payments for a smooth trip. Know the denominations, choose merchants wisely, and set up a phone wallet if your region supports foreign cards. That way you can focus on the sights, the food and the stories you will bring home.
What currency does China use and what is it called locally
China A0 As official currency is the renminbi. The main unit is the yuan. In everyday conversation people usually say kuai for yuan and mao for jiao. You will see the symbol A5 and the code CNY on receipts, bank screens and price lists. Banks and media also use the shorthand RMB.
What is the difference between yuan and renminbi
Renminbi is the currency name and yuan is the primary unit. It mirrors the relationship between sterling and pound in the United Kingdom. When you speak about prices you will say yuan or kuai. When you write for an international audience, use CNY or RMB to avoid confusion with the Japanese yen.
Can visitors use Alipay or WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account
In many major cities visitors can now register with a passport and link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay to make QR payments. Availability, limits and supported cards vary by region and can change, so set it up before you fly if possible and keep some cash as a backup.
Is cash still necessary in China
Yes, cash remains useful. Mobile wallets dominate in big cities, but small eateries, rural shops and some taxis may prefer cash. Carry small notes for quick purchases and use ATMs from major banks for fair rates. Decline dynamic currency conversion so that your home bank handles the exchange at better rates.
What is CNH and why do I see two rates for the Chinese currency
CNH is the offshore yuan traded outside mainland China, while CNY is the onshore yuan. Offshore and onshore rates can differ slightly due to market conditions. Travellers usually do not need to worry about this distinction, as card networks and exchange counters handle it automatically.