Choose a practical cash reserve
You do not need to carry the whole trip budget. Estimate airport transport, the first day’s meals and a connectivity failure, then keep a reserve for return transport. Calculate this for your city, group and payment habits; there is no universal minimum cash figure in this guide.
Ask the bank or exchange counter for some ¥10, ¥20 and ¥50 notes. Store cash separately and confirm bills are in RMB; Hong Kong dollars and patacas are not mainland cash.
Withdraw safely
- 1
Check with your issuer
Check overseas cash access, your PIN, daily limits and withdrawal charges. Credit-card withdrawals may incur cash-advance fees and interest, unlike ordinary card purchases.
- 2
Use a bank ATM
Look for your card-network logo, such as Visa or Mastercard, preferably at a bank during opening hours. Do not repeatedly guess your PIN after a rejection.
- 3
Review the amount and currency
Read ATM fees and any currency-conversion offer before accepting. Selecting RMB generally leaves conversion to your issuer, but compare your own card terms. Retrieve the card and cash and keep the receipt.
Exchange and resolve problems
- Banks or authorised counters may require a passport and accept only certain currencies, denominations or note conditions. Ask about opening hours and total fees; keep exchange receipts for possible conversion back before departure.
- For a retained card or missing cash, record the bank, location, machine ID, time and amount. Contact the bank through the machine’s official details and notify your issuer; do not let a stranger operate it for you.
Check before you go
Cross-border cash has separate declaration and carrying rules. An ATM limit is not a customs allowance; check with customs for your currency, direction and amount.
Common questions
Will every ATM accept my overseas card?
No. Network support, card settings and bank systems all matter. Try another established bank and contact your issuer if needed.
What if a merchant cannot give change?
Carry smaller notes and mention cash before ordering. Ask for another legitimate payment method if needed; do not turn a purchase into a private currency exchange with a stranger.
Read next & sources
Sources
- Payments and exchanging cash in China商务部等 / MOFCOM and other departments · 2024
- Payment service guide for overseas visitors中国政府网 / State Council · 2024-04-11
- Customs baggage and restricted items中国海关 / China Customs
Sources support the relevant rules, last reviewed 3 Oct 2026. Routes, budgets and practical suggestions are editorial guidance, not official guarantees. Recheck rules and service availability before travelling.