Quick Answer (30 seconds)
90% of transactions in China go through Alipay or WeChat Pay. But you still need cash for: wet markets, street vendors, old taxis, some temples, and small towns. ATM withdrawal limit: ¥2,500-3,000 per transaction, ¥10-30 fee per withdrawal. Carry ¥500-1,000 as a one-week backup. China has no tipping culture — tipping will cause confusion.
Don't exchange money at the airport — worst rates. Go to Bank of China or ICBC for the best rates.
Full Guide
You set up Alipay, bound your foreign card, and feel ready. Then you spot a street vendor selling jianbing (煎饼 - jiān bǐng, Chinese crepe). You pull out your phone to scan — the vendor shakes their head and points to a faded QR code that your Alipay can't read. This is when you need cash.
Where You Still Need Cash
- Wet markets and street vendors — Many don't accept digital payments, or only take WeChat (not Alipay)
- Street food — Skewers, crepes, candied hawthorn — ¥5-20 stalls
- Old taxis — Traditional cabs not on ride-hailing apps, some cash-only
- Temples — Incense money, donation boxes, some small temples cash-only
- Small towns and rural areas — Digital payment coverage is incomplete
- Some attraction tickets — Less popular sites may only accept cash
ATM Withdrawal Guide
Which ATMs accept foreign cards:
- Bank of China — most reliable, accepts Visa/Mastercard
- ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) — reliable
- China Construction Bank (CCB) — reliable
- China Merchants Bank — reliable, English interface
Fees and limits:
- Chinese ATM fee: ¥10-30 per transaction (varies by bank)
- Per-transaction withdrawal limit: ¥2,500-3,000
- Daily withdrawal limit: ¥10,000-20,000
- Your card issuer may add 1-3% foreign transaction fee
How to use: Insert card → select English → enter PIN → select amount → take cash. Some ATMs require a 6-digit PIN. If your card has a 4-digit PIN, add zeros in front (e.g., 1234 → 001234).
Currency Exchange Guide
Don't exchange at the airport. Airport rates are 5-10% below market — the worst option.
Best options:
- Bank of China counter — rates closest to market, bring passport, hours 9 AM-5 PM
- ICBC counter — same
- ATM withdrawal — rates set by Visa/Mastercard at market price, usually better than counter
What to bring: Your original passport. Banks require ID registration for currency exchange.
How Much Cash to Carry
- One-week trip — ¥500-1,000 (assuming Alipay is set up)
- Two-week trip — ¥1,000-2,000
- One month — ¥2,000-3,000
Most of the time, your cash will come back untouched. But when you need it, not having it is a problem.
Tipping? Don't.
China has no tipping culture. Restaurants, taxis, hotels — no tipping expected. If you leave money on the table, the server may chase you down to return it.
The only exception: luxury international hotels (Marriott, Hilton) where bellhops might expect a tip — but even then, it's not required.
Troubleshooting
Problem 1: ATM Won't Read Your Card
What happens: You insert your card and the ATM says "unable to read" or "card type not supported."
Fix: Try a different bank's ATM — compatibility varies. Make sure your card has a 4-digit PIN (Chinese ATMs require 4-6 digits). If it's an Amex, many ATMs don't accept it — only some Bank of China machines do. If all else fails, go to a bank counter for a cash advance on your credit card.
Problem 2: Bad Exchange Rate
What happens: You exchanged money at the airport or hotel and got a terrible rate.
Fix: Only exchange a small amount at the airport (¥200-300, enough for a taxi to the city center). Once in the city, go to a Bank of China counter for larger amounts. Or just use an ATM — rates are set by Visa/Mastercard at market price.
Problem 3: Ran Out of Cash in a Small Town
What happens: You're in a remote area, can't find an ATM, and Alipay isn't widely accepted.
Fix: Look for a China Post office (中国邮政) — they usually have ATMs. Or find a local shop owner and ask to exchange: transfer ¥100 via WeChat to the shop owner, they give you ¥100 cash. This "mutual exchange" is common in China — don't be embarrassed to ask.
Last verified: August 2026 · Sources: Bank of China exchange rates (bankofchina.com), Trip.com currency guide, you.co China ATM guide, chinasurvivalkit.com · Rates and fees may change.