How much cash should I carry in China?

Carry a small reserve rather than all your spending money. The right amount depends on your itinerary, but mobile payment is usually primary and cash is the fallback.

Can I withdraw cash with any foreign Visa or Mastercard?

Acceptance depends on the bank, ATM operator and your card issuer. Confirm the networks and fees with the issuer and use an established bank ATM.

Should I accept the ATM's exchange rate?

If your card supports choosing a currency, decline dynamic conversion and let the card issuer apply the rate, then compare the fee.

What if an ATM keeps my card?

Contact the bank immediately and follow its card-recovery process. Do not let an informal helper take the card to another machine.

Using Chinese ATMs with a Foreign Card: Fees, Limits and Cash Backup

Short answer

Use ATMs operated by established banks, check your own bank's foreign-currency and ATM fees before travelling, and carry a small cash backup for places that do not accept mobile payment. Chinese ATM limits, accepted cards and surcharges vary by bank and machine, so never rely on a single universal amount or a street-side exchange rate.

Before you leave home

Ask your card issuer about foreign ATM fees, daily limits, declined cash advances and supported networks.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as the primary everyday method.
Carry a modest cash reserve for the first day, a remote area, a payment outage or a card that is not accepted.

At the ATM

Choose a bank-owned ATM, inspect the card slot and keypad, and cover the keypad when typing a PIN.
Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose the local currency if your account supports it.
Take the receipt, keep the card and stop if the machine retains it; contact the bank immediately.

If the machine rejects the card

Do not keep retrying at a random machine. Check the bank's accepted cards and limits, use a branch or major-bank ATM, and rely on your mobile wallet or backup cash while you contact the issuer.

Related guides

Where these matter

Official sources

Policies and booking channels change — check the official channel before you rely on it.