Overview
China uses the Chinese Yuan (CNY or RMB) exclusively — neither Japanese Yen nor US Dollars are accepted directly. However, the currency you bring affects exchange rates and convenience. Understanding the dynamics helps you minimize costs whether you're arriving from Japan or the United States.
USD: The International Standard
USD has better exchange rates in China due to the USD/CNY being one of the world's most traded currency pairs. Banks and exchange offices handle USD confidently, offering competitive rates. American travelers benefit from their home currency being globally liquid and widely understood.
JPY: More Limited but Workable
Japanese Yen exchanges are available in major Chinese cities but with less favorable rates. JPY isn't a major trading pair with CNY, so spreads are wider. Japanese tourists may find it simpler to use ATMs for CNY extraction directly rather than carrying large amounts of pre-exchanged yen.
Best Practices
Regardless of home currency, the optimal strategy is similar: exchange a small amount for arrival expenses, then use ATMs for larger needs. Choose a credit or debit card with low foreign transaction fees. USD travelers have a slight edge in exchange rate quality, but the difference is usually modest for typical tourist amounts.