Cash and refunds
China is close to cashless, but cash is still the fallback that saves you when a payment fails. Here is how much to carry and how to get more.
- Carry ¥500–1,000 in small bills
- Departure tax refund has been paperless since 1 July 2026
- Cash is legal tender and cannot be refused
Last updated: 5 September 2026
How much cash to carry
Enough to cover a day or two if your cards stop working, and no more. For most visitors that is around ¥500 to ¥1,000 in small bills — ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, and ¥50 notes.
A ¥100 note is awkward at a street stall and sometimes refused. Small denominations are the difference between cash being useful and cash being dead weight.
Where to exchange
| Where | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of China branch | Best | Bring your passport. Slower, but the rate is worth it for larger amounts. |
| Airport exchange desk | Worst | Convenient on arrival. Exchange a small amount only, enough for transport and a meal. |
| Hotel desk | Poor | Works in an emergency. Use only if nothing else is open. |
| ATM withdrawal | Mid | Convenient, but your bank and the local operator both take a cut. |
Using an ATM with a foreign card
- Look for machines displaying Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay logos.
- Withdraw from bank-branch ATMs rather than standalone machines in convenience stores.
- Tell your bank you are travelling, or the withdrawal may be blocked as suspicious.
- Expect two fees: the local operator's, and your own bank's foreign ATM fee.
Departure tax refund
Visitors can claim a refund on VAT for eligible purchases taken out of the country. Since 1 July 2026 the process in China has been paperless, and there are now over 14,000 refund-enabled stores.
- Shop at a refund-enabled store and spend above the minimum threshold in a single day.
- Show your passport at purchase and ask for the refund form. Without the passport at the point of sale, there is no claim.
- Keep items unused and available — customs may want to see them.
- Claim at the airport before you check in, at the customs refund desk. Allow extra time; this queue is slow at peak hours.
Thresholds, rates, and procedures change. Confirm the current rules with the store and at the airport refund desk.
Practical notes
- Cash is legally accepted everywhere — refusing it is not allowed, though a small vendor may genuinely have no change.
- Keep a second payment method separate from your phone. If your phone dies, cash is all you have.
- Tipping is not customary in most of mainland China and is not expected in restaurants or taxis.
The best way to need less cash is to know your card works. Run the QR test