Last updated: October 10, 2008

Tips on Currency Exchange

Foreign currency and traveler's cheque exchange is available in most of China's cities. Banks, hotels, airports, even the shopping malls will provide such service. In some of the places, the self-service facilities are also equipped to cope with overseas tourists.

All the state banks in China, like Bank of China, Agriculture Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction bank, offer the money exchange service. At present, 14 foreign currencies can be exchanged at any outlets of Bank of China, including Euro, British Pound, US Dollar, Swiss Franc, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Norwegian Krone, Japanese Yen, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Philippine Peso, Thailand Baht and South Korean Won (only available in particular Chinese cities) as well as the HK Dollar, New Taiwan Dollar and Macau Pataca.

Please note that branches of other banks may only accept certain kinds of foreign currencies, and sometimes they will not offer such a service if they are not the provincial-branches. TravelChinaGuide suggests that money is exchanged at Bank of China, the main bank in China to handle foreign currencies. Additionally, you'd better have your original currency converted in big cities before you go to some small towns, rural areas or nature reserves, because it may be hard for you to find a bank in some remote places.

When exchanging foreign currency, a valid passport is required. The receipt must be retained to show when the RMB is changed back to your original currency before leaving China.

If you would like to know the exact exchange rate between your original currency and the Chinese Renminbi or other currencies, please use the Currency Converter above.