Currency guides for China
The yuan is the only currency you can spend in mainland China. Pick the currency you are bringing for the exchange notes, card fees and a live converter.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
All pages use the same live rate source as the currency converter. Rates are for reference; your bank or card issuer sets the rate you actually get.
- USD → CNYUS dollarThe most widely recognised foreign currency in China and the easiest to exchange outside major cities.
- EUR → CNYEuroAccepted at major bank counters and airport exchanges; not accepted by shops.
- GBP → CNYBritish poundA major currency for exchange, but cash is rarely held outside large cities.
- JPY → CNYJapanese yenJapan is a cash-heavy market, but in China yen cash is an exchange currency, not spending money.
- KRW → CNYSouth Korean wonCommon on routes from Korea; exchange demand is concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao and Yanbian.
- AUD → CNYAustralian dollarA major currency at airport counters; high-street bank stock is thinner than USD or EUR.
- CAD → CNYCanadian dollarSimilar availability to AUD: reliable at airports, not guaranteed at a random branch.
- SGD → CNYSingapore dollarWidely exchanged on routes from Southeast Asia; still not spendable in shops.
- HKD → CNYHong Kong dollarOne of the easiest foreign currencies to exchange, especially in Guangdong and Shanghai.
- TWD → CNYNew Taiwan dollarExchange availability is concentrated in Fujian, Shanghai and Beijing; it is not a mainstream counter currency elsewhere.
- THB → CNYThai bahtUseful on routes from Thailand; exchange stock is limited outside tourist hubs.
- VND → CNYVietnamese dongA border-trade currency with thin exchange availability away from Guangxi and Yunnan.
- MYR → CNYMalaysian ringgitAvailable at major counters on southern routes; not spendable outside Malaysia.
- IDR → CNYIndonesian rupiahA minor counter currency in China; card payments are usually more practical.
- PHP → CNYPhilippine pesoLimited exchange availability outside major airports and coastal cities.
- INR → CNYIndian rupeeOne of the harder currencies to exchange in China; plan on USD or a card.
- AED → CNYUAE dirhamAvailable at major airports and large bank branches, mainly on Gulf routes.
- CHF → CNYSwiss francA major European currency at airport counters; high-street availability is limited.
- NZD → CNYNew Zealand dollarSimilar to AUD: reliable at airports, patchy at small branches.
- RUB → CNYRussian rubleExchange and card acceptance can be restricted; check the current rules with your bank before relying on rubles.