China Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

China uses the renminbi (RMB), commonly written as CNY or yuan (¥). As a planning reference, 1 SGD was approximately ¥5.22 based on a quoted rate of SGD 0.1916 per CNY on 23 October 2026; check a live rate before departure because exchange markets move constantly. Digital payments dominate daily spending, but carrying some cash remains sensible.

Link an eligible Singapore-issued Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay, keep a physical card for hotels and larger businesses, and withdraw RMB from a major-bank ATM if needed. Payments of ¥200 or less generally avoid the platforms’ service fee, while larger foreign-card transactions may attract a 3% fee. China does not generally have a tipping culture, so tipping taxis, ordinary restaurants, cafés, and street-food vendors is usually unnecessary.

The practical China currency rule is simple: budget in RMB, compare every conversion with the live SGD rate, and avoid assuming that a displayed price includes a card or platform fee. The renminbi is divided into yuan, jiao, and fen, although fen is rarely used in everyday travel. Notes commonly found by visitors include ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50 and ¥100, while coins are especially common for small purchases and transport.

For Singapore travellers, a useful October 2026 reference rate was approximately S$1 = ¥5.22. That makes ¥20 roughly S$3.83, ¥100 about S$19.16, and ¥200 approximately S$38.32 before bank spreads or payment fees. Treat these as mental-math guides rather than guaranteed rates.

Amount in China	Approximate Singapore-dollar value*	Typical use
¥20	S$3.83	Street food, short local journey
¥50	S$9.58	Casual meal or attraction add-on
¥100	S$19.16	Restaurant meal or airport transfer contribution
¥200	S$38.32	Larger meal, shopping, or platform-fee threshold

*Calculated using the quoted reference rate of ¥5.22 per S$1; actual card, ATM, and exchange rates vary. The Hello app can track spending in RMB and SGD with automatic exchange-rate conversion, making it easier to see your real trip budget as prices accumulate.

The best China exchange strategy is to exchange only a small emergency amount on arrival, then use reputable bank branches or low-fee ATMs rather than informal money changers. Airport counters and hotel desks are convenient but may build a wide spread or commission into the rate, so they are better for urgent transport money than a large exchange.

Major Chinese banks, including Bank of China, are generally more suitable for in-person currency services, although requirements, opening hours, and availability can vary by branch. Bring your passport, retain exchange receipts, and ask clearly about the final amount you will receive before handing over cash. Do not use street exchangers: counterfeit notes, misleading rates, and scams are avoidable risks.

A sensible arrival plan is:

• Carry a modest amount of clean SGD or another major currency as backup.
• Exchange enough for transport, a drink, and one meal rather than converting your entire budget.
• Compare the quoted rate with a live CNY-SGD rate before confirming.
• Count the RMB yourself at the counter and keep the receipt.
• Choose CNY/RMB, not SGD, if a card terminal or ATM offers dynamic currency conversion.

If you use an ATM, your Singapore bank may charge an overseas withdrawal fee, while the Chinese bank may add a fixed fee. Multiple small withdrawals can therefore cost more than one planned withdrawal.

For most visitors, Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to an international card is the most practical way to pay in China, while physical cards and cash provide essential backup. Foreign visitors can generally link eligible overseas Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, or similar cards after passport and identity verification, without opening a mainland Chinese bank account.

Prepare before flying: install the apps, complete passport verification, add your card, and test the account while you still have reliable access to SMS or email. Alipay is particularly useful for QR payments, transport-related services, and smaller merchants; WeChat Pay is widely integrated into restaurants, shops, and social commerce. Local QR codes are often more dependable than tapping a foreign card directly.

Payments of ¥200 or less are generally exempt from the platform service fee. A transaction above ¥200 may incur a 3% fee on the full amount, not merely the portion over ¥200. Your Singapore card issuer can also add its own foreign-transaction fee. Some international cards work directly at hotels, department stores, upscale restaurants, and chain businesses, but small vendors may accept only QR payment or cash.

Keep two payment methods available, save screenshots of important booking details, and carry a physical card separately from your phone. For reliable data while setting up payments, consider Hello eSIM for China, which can be activated before departure so you arrive connected.

Use ATMs inside or beside established bank branches, withdraw a planned amount of RMB, and always select CNY rather than SGD when the machine asks how to charge your account. Foreign cards are most likely to work at ATMs displaying your card network logo, particularly machines operated by large banks such as Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank, although acceptance is not universal.

Many ATMs limit overseas-card withdrawals to approximately ¥3,000 per transaction. Your Singapore bank can impose a lower daily limit, and the Chinese bank or network may charge an additional fee; traveller reports commonly place Chinese-bank ATM charges around ¥20–¥30 per withdrawal, before your home-bank fee. Check your bank’s overseas withdrawal pricing before leaving.

ATM best practices include:

• Use a machine in a bank lobby, airport, shopping centre, or busy hotel area.
• Try another major-bank ATM if your card is declined; a decline does not necessarily mean your card is blocked.
• Accept the withdrawal in RMB and reject dynamic currency conversion.
• Inspect the machine for unusual attachments and shield your PIN.
• Take the card, cash, and receipt before leaving.
• Notify your bank of travel dates if required.

Avoid depending entirely on cash: some restaurants, attractions, and transport services are increasingly QR-first. Conversely, keep around ¥200–¥500 in reserve for connectivity problems, small shops, or a payment-app outage.

China tipping is generally not expected: pay the displayed price in ordinary situations and tip only when a premium service clearly warrants it. Taxis, ride-hailing drivers, street-food sellers, cafés, casual restaurants, and hotel housekeeping usually do not require a gratuity. Leaving extra money can occasionally confuse staff, particularly in smaller local businesses.

Upscale international hotels, destination restaurants, and private tours may follow more familiar hospitality conventions. A guide or driver who provides exceptional private service may appreciate a modest discretionary amount, but confirm whether a service charge is already included. Never feel obliged to tip simply because a payment screen displays a suggested percentage.

Approximate 2026 planning figures vary significantly by city and travel style, but a visitor might budget:

• Breakfast or street food: ¥10–¥30 per person.
• Casual local meal: ¥30–¥80 per person.
• Mid-range restaurant: ¥80–¥200 per person.
• Coffee at an international-style café: ¥20–¥40.
• Metro journey: often roughly ¥3–¥8, depending on distance and city.

Be cautious with invitations from strangers to tea ceremonies, bars, art galleries, or “student” language exchanges in major tourist districts. Agreeing to an unpriced experience can lead to inflated bills. Verify restaurant menus, use official QR codes, and review the final amount before confirming payment. Track shared meals in Hello, where expenses can be split across currencies and converted automatically.

Most China money problems are preventable: prepare mobile payments, keep backup cash, confirm prices before ordering, and refuse currency conversion into SGD at the terminal. These quick answers cover the questions travellers ask most often.

Should I bring cash to China? Yes. Digital payment is dominant, but ¥200–¥500 in small notes is useful for emergencies, small vendors, transport, or a dead phone.

Can tourists use Visa or Mastercard in China? Often, especially at hotels, department stores, international chains, and through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Acceptance at small independent merchants is less predictable.

Is Alipay or WeChat Pay better? Both are useful. Set up at least one before departure and keep the other as a backup if your phone, card, or verification process fails.

What is the safest China exchange rate? Compare the live mid-market rate with the quoted rate and total fees. Never accept an informal street exchange, and reject ATM dynamic currency conversion.

Do I need to tip in China? Usually no. Tipping is not customary for taxis, everyday restaurants, cafés, or street food; premium private services are the main exception.

What scams should I avoid? Decline unsolicited currency exchanges, verify QR codes before paying, watch for altered prices at tourist venues, and avoid unpriced tea or bar invitations. Keep your phone secure because access to payment apps can be as valuable as cash.