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China Currency Exchange 2026: Rates, ATMs, and Banks for Foreigners
★ Guide · Updated for 2026

China Currency Exchange 2026: Rates, ATMs, and Banks for Foreigners

Practical 2026 guide to exchanging money in China as a foreign visitor: bank counters, ATMs, hotels, airports, mobile payments, and how to dodge bad rates and fees.

5 min read·By NihaoVisit Editorial Team·Updated
§ 01 · The key numbers

Memorize these before anything else.

~7.18 (as of 2026)
CNY per USD mid-rate
10-12 CNY flat per withdrawal
Big Four bank ATM fee
2,500 CNY per transaction, 10,000 CNY/day
Typical daily ATM limit
USD 2006 series or newer, no tears or marks
Best cash to bring
Get the checklist →Jump to FAQ

Quick Answer

Where do foreigners get the best CNY exchange rate in China in 2026?

Big Four bank counters (Bank of China, ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank) in tier-1 city downtown branches offer the tightest spreads, typically 0.3-0.8% over the mid-market rate for cash USD/EUR/GBP. Airport and hotel counters sit 2-4% worse. ATMs at the same banks charge a flat 10-12 CNY per withdrawal on foreign Visa/Mastercard. Bring clean, unfolded USD bills from 2006 or later for the smoothest experience (as of 2026).

Source: Bank of China - Foreign Currency Services

CNY per USD mid-rate~7.18 (as of 2026)
Big Four bank ATM fee10-12 CNY flat per withdrawal
Typical daily ATM limit2,500 CNY per transaction, 10,000 CNY/day
Best cash to bringUSD 2006 series or newer, no tears or marks
Alipay Tour Card minimum100 CNY top-up, 3,000 CNY per single payment
Bank counter hoursMon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 9:30-16:00 (as of 2026)
Passport needed for exchangeYes, for any amount over 500 USD equivalent
Last updated

Where should I exchange money in China to get the best rate?

Can I use a foreign Visa or Mastercard at Chinese ATMs?

Yes, but only at machines operated by Bank of China, ICBC, ABC, and CCB, and only if your card was issued outside mainland China. The machines display a Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, or Plus logo and typically charge a flat 10 CNY fee at Bank of China and 12 CNY at ICBC per withdrawal, on top of your own bank's international transaction fee. Daily limits usually cap at 2,500 CNY per transaction and 10,000 CNY per card per day, though some branches raise this to 5,000 CNY per pull on request (as of 2026). [0, 2]

Sources: Bank of China - Foreign Currency Services, Alipay - Tour Card / International Visitor Guide

How does Alipay work for tourists in 2026?

Alipay launched a permanent "Tour Card" in 2024 that lets foreigners link a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Discover card issued overseas, no Chinese bank account required. You top up the wallet in CNY from the linked card with a 100 CNY minimum, and a 3,000 CNY cap per single payment (raised from 1,000 in late 2024). Transaction fees run roughly 1-2% including FX, which is usually cheaper than an ATM once you spend more than 800 CNY a day. The same Tour Card works for taxis, convenience stores, sit-down restaurants, and most museum tickets in 2026. [1, 3]

Sources: XE.com - USD to CNY Live Exchange Rate, People's Bank of China - Daily Central Parity Rate

Should I bring US dollars or euros to exchange?

USD is the most widely accepted cash currency at Chinese bank counters in 2026, with EUR a close second, then GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, HKD, and SGD. Notes must be post-2006 series, clean, unfolded, and free of markings; older, torn, or defaced bills get refused or hit with a 3-5% haircut. Bring 50 and 100 USD bills rather than 20s since larger denominations sometimes get a slightly better posted buy rate at major branches. [1, 2]

Sources: XE.com - USD to CNY Live Exchange Rate, Alipay - Tour Card / International Visitor Guide

What documents do I need to exchange money?

For any cash exchange over 500 USD equivalent, Chinese banks require your physical passport; a photocopy is not accepted. Bank staff will scan the bio page, fill out a foreign exchange form (结售汇), and paste a transaction slip into your passport before returning it. For ATM withdrawals, you need only your foreign card and a 4-6 digit PIN; some machines prompt for "savings" or "current" account, and you want savings (the default option). Keep every ATM receipt; customs can ask for proof of legal exchange when you exit with leftover CNY over 5,000 CNY face value. [0, 1]

Sources: Bank of China - Foreign Currency Services, XE.com - USD to CNY Live Exchange Rate

Is it safe to exchange money on the street or at hotel desks?

No. Unofficial money changers are illegal in mainland China and frequently involve counterfeit notes, sleight-of-hand swaps, or short-counting. Hotel exchange desks are legal but post noticeably worse rates, typically 2-3% off mid-market, plus a flat service fee. Stick to bank counters, licensed airport exchange windows marked "外币兑换" with an MBFEX or bank logo, or your ATM card. If a quote sounds 3% or more better than the rate on XE.com or your bank's app, walk away (as of 2026). [1, 2]

Sources: XE.com - USD to CNY Live Exchange Rate, Alipay - Tour Card / International Visitor Guide

How much cash should I carry into China?

Most travelers in 2026 can get by on 1,500-2,500 CNY of cash for a week, covering taxis, street food, small vendors, and tipping at higher-end hotels. The rest rides on Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a foreign Visa/Mastercard at point-of-sale terminals, which work at almost every chain store, restaurant, and ticket counter in tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Declare amounts over 5,000 USD (or equivalent) at customs on the way in, and keep the customs form; the same limit applies to CNY when you leave. [1, 3]

Sources: XE.com - USD to CNY Live Exchange Rate, People's Bank of China - Daily Central Parity Rate

Are credit cards accepted in China, or is it all mobile pay?

UnionPay dominates at point-of-sale terminals, but Visa and Mastercard acceptance at hotels, airports, and large department stores is near-universal in 2026, with a typical 1.5-2.5% foreign transaction fee added by your bank. Independent restaurants, taxis, and small shops often still take only cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. The cleanest play: link a Visa or Mastercard to the Alipay Tour Card, carry 1,000-2,000 CNY for cash-only spots, and skip the 3% credit card FX markup. [2, 3]

Sources: Alipay - Tour Card / International Visitor Guide, People's Bank of China - Daily Central Parity Rate

Frequently asked questions

What is the USD to CNY exchange rate in June 2026?
The mid-market rate sits around 7.18 CNY per 1 USD as of mid-2026, with the People's Bank of China setting a daily central parity rate. Bank counters buy USD at roughly 7.12-7.15 and sell at 7.20-7.22; always check XE.com or your home bank app for the live figure on the day you exchange.
How much does Bank of China charge to withdraw from a foreign card at an ATM?
Bank of China ATMs charge a flat 10 CNY per foreign-card withdrawal as of 2026, on top of the FX spread and any fee your home bank adds (commonly 1-3% on Visa and Mastercard). ICBC and ABC charge 10-12 CNY; CCB is similar. There is no monthly cap beyond your card's own daily limit.
Can I pay with WeChat Pay as a foreign tourist in 2026?
Yes. WeChat Pay opened registration to foreign visitors in 2023 and by 2026 supports linking Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Discover for in-store QR-code payments. The process is similar to Alipay's Tour Card: top up a balance, scan, and the wallet settles against the linked card at a small FX margin. Per-transaction limits run 2,000-3,000 CNY depending on verification level.
Do I need a Chinese bank account to exchange money?
No. Tourists can exchange cash at any Big Four bank counter by presenting a passport, no Chinese bank account or residency permit required. The same applies to ATM withdrawals: any foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, Plus, or Cirrus card works at Bank of China, ICBC, ABC, and CCB machines.
What is the maximum CNY I can bring into China?
There is no limit on CNY you bring in, but you must declare cash, travelers checks, or other monetary instruments over 5,000 USD (or equivalent) at customs on entry. On the way out, CNY over 20,000 per person is prohibited; 5,000-20,000 CNY requires the customs declaration form from your arrival.
Is it cheaper to use my debit card or to exchange cash in China?
For most travelers in 2026, a Visa or Mastercard debit card used at a Big Four bank ATM is the cheapest option. The flat 10-12 CNY ATM fee plus a 1-1.5% bank FX margin usually beats a cash exchange, which carries a 0.3-0.8% spread and the risk of being left with unused CNY at trip's end. Credit cards cost 1.5-2.5% in foreign transaction fees, so they are the most expensive option.
Can I exchange leftover CNY back to USD before I fly home?
Yes, at the same Big Four bank counters with your passport and original exchange receipts. Banks will only buy back the CNY you exchanged that day or can trace to a prior slip, capped at the same amount. The buy-back rate is roughly 0.3-0.5% worse than the sell rate, and airport buy-back counters sit another 1-2% below that. Save your receipts.
Are old US dollar bills accepted at Chinese banks?
Banks reject pre-2006 series notes, any bill with tears, writing, stains, or heavy creases, and any denomination under 1 USD in practice. Bring crisp 50 and 100 USD bills from 2006 or later for the smoothest counter exchange. Defaced or older bills get refused outright or discounted 3-5% in 2026.
Do airport exchange counters in China charge commission?
Most licensed airport counters (marked with a bank logo or MBFEX badge) display "no commission" but bake the cost into a wider spread, typically 2-4% off mid-market for cash exchange. Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) all have 24-hour counters, but the rate is noticeably worse than downtown branches.
Should I tip in CNY cash or via mobile pay in China?
Tipping is not traditional in mainland China and remains uncommon in 2026, though luxury hotels, high-end tour guides, and some restaurant staff accept small tips. A 20-50 CNY note in the hotel housekeeping envelope or after a private tour is plenty. Do not try to tip taxi drivers or street food vendors; QR-code mobile-pay tips are also unusual outside tourist-oriented spots.

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