Live RMB conversion for typical trip expenses — a 50 RMB coffee, a 600 RMB taxi, a 1,200 RMB hotel night. Type any number, see what it is in your home currency.
Pro Tip
Exchange rates change daily. Before you arrive in China, check the actual rate from your bank. These are approximate rates for quick mental math only.
Common Conversion Scenarios
Restaurant meal: 50-200 RMB
That's about $7-28 USD (or €6-24)
Taxi/Didi ride: 20-100 RMB
That's about $3-14 USD (or €2.50-12)
Hotel room: 300-2000 RMB
That's about $42-284 USD (or €40-262)
Attraction tickets: 50-200 RMB
Important Note
- Rates change daily: Check with your bank for the most accurate rate
- Credit card fees: ATM withdrawals and card payments may have additional fees
- Best rates: Usually ATMs give better rates than currency exchange booths
- Use this for: Quick mental math while shopping, not official transactions
Ready to Shop
Now when you see a price tag, you can instantly calculate how much it costs in your home currency. No surprises!
Where to Exchange Currency in China
ATM Withdrawal (Best Rate)
Use your debit card at any ATM with the Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay logo. Bank of China and ICBC ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards. Typical fees: your bank charges 1-3% + a flat fee of $2-5. Withdraw larger amounts (¥2000-3000) to minimize per-transaction fees.
Alipay / WeChat Pay (Most Convenient)
Link your Visa/Mastercard to Alipay. When you scan and pay, the conversion happens automatically at the day's exchange rate. No need to carry cash at all. Fees are built into the exchange rate (typically 1-2% markup).
Airport Currency Exchange (Worst Rate)
Airport exchange counters have the worst rates — typically 5-8% worse than market rate. Only use if you're desperate and need cash immediately. Exchange the minimum amount (¥500) and use ATMs in the city for the rest.
Bank Branch Exchange
Bank of China branches can exchange major currencies. Rates are fair (close to ATM rates). Bring your passport. Process takes 15-30 minutes. Only available during business hours (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, some Sat mornings).
How Much Cash Should You Carry?
| Trip Type | Cash to Carry | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day transit | ¥500 (~$70) | Emergency backup only. Alipay handles 95% of payments. |
| 7-day tourist trip | ¥1000 (~$140) | For street food stalls, small shops in old towns, temple entrance fees. |
| 2-week deep travel | ¥2000 (~$280) | Rural areas and small cities have more cash-only vendors. ATMs may be rare. |
Tipping in China
Good news: No tipping required
China does not have a tipping culture. Restaurants, taxis, hotels, tour guides — nobody expects tips. In fact, some people may be confused or even offended if you try to tip. The only exceptions: international 5-star hotels (where staff are trained to accept tips) and private tour guides (¥50-100/day is appreciated but not required).
Quick Mental Math Tricks
RMB USD
Divide by 7. Quick trick: ¥100 ≈ $14. Just divide by 7 and round.
¥50 ~$7 | ¥200 ~$28 | ¥500 ~$71
RMB EUR
Divide by 7.6. Quick trick: similar to USD but slightly less.
¥50 ~€6.5 | ¥200 ~€26 | ¥500 ~€65
RMB GBP
Divide by 9. Quick trick: ¥100 ≈ £11.
¥50 ~£5.5 | ¥200 ~£22 | ¥500 ~£56
RMB AUD
Divide by 4.6. Quick trick: ¥100 ≈ A$22. Roughly divide by 5.
¥50 ~A$11 | ¥200 ~A$43 | ¥500 ~A$109