US dollar to Chinese yuan (USD → CNY)
The most widely recognised foreign currency in China and the easiest to exchange outside major cities.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
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Exchanging US dollar in China
Bank of China and major commercial-bank branches, airport exchange counters and hotel desks in big cities. Bring clean, untorn notes; banks may refuse damaged bills.
Ask for the counter rate and the commission before handing over the notes, and count the yuan before you leave the desk. Airport counters are convenient but usually carry the widest spread.
What things cost in CNY
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro ride | ¥2–10 |
| Coffee or tea | ¥25–45 |
| Noodle-shop meal | ¥20–40 |
| Museum or temple ticket | ¥0–60 |
| 3–4★ hotel night | ¥400–800 |
| High-speed rail, 4–5 hours | ¥500–700 |
How to pay once you land
- Link a Visa or Mastercard in Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly. Under ¥200 there is usually no fee; above it expect about 3%.
- Carry ¥500–1,000 in cash for day one: a taxi, a SIM card or a small shop may not take a foreign card.
- Keep a physical card as a fallback. Not every merchant terminal accepts foreign cards directly.
Questions people ask
Can I pay with US dollar in China?
No. Shops, hotels, trains and attractions price in Chinese yuan (CNY). Foreign cash is an exchange currency, not a payment method; a foreign card works through Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Where can I exchange USD in China?
Bank of China and major commercial-bank branches, airport exchange counters and hotel desks in big cities. Bring clean, untorn notes; banks may refuse damaged bills.
Is USD cash or a card better for this trip?
Link a Visa or Mastercard in Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly; transactions under ¥200 are normally fee-free, and above that a foreign-card fee of about 3% applies. Carry a small cash float for day one.