The monetary unit of Renminbi in China is Yuan, together with the Jiao and Fen as the units of fractional currency. 1 Yuan is divided into 10 Jiao, while 1 Jiao is divided into 10 Fen. Colloquially in Chinese, the Yuan is called Kuai, and the Jiao is called Mao.
At present, the currency in circulation has 12 kinds of par value, including 1, 2, 5 Fen; 1, 2, 5 Jiao; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Yuan. However, the Fen notes have been withdrawn from circulation and are now seldom accepted.
Foreign currency and traveler's cheque exchange is available in most of China's cities. Banks, hotels, aiports, 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,
- South Korean Won (only available in particular Chinese cities) as well as the HK Dollar, New Taiwan Dollar and Macau Pataca.
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.
Each tourist is allowed to bring any quantity of traveler's cheques and credit cards, but only US $5, 000 cash (or other foreign currency cash of equivalent value) or CNY20,000 cash is permitted at a time.
Any excess sum should be declared to China Custom while going through the red channel.
This tip is provided by supplier M17827