Whether you’re planning to spend your trip to China strolling through the busy streets of Beijing or exploring the iconic Great Wall, there’s one question that many international visitors to this land of mystery find themselves asking: Is it possible to use my debit and credit cards in China?
Just like any other country, navigating access to your money in China can feel like a pretty daunting experience. But at Crown Currency Exchange, we believe that your holiday’s focus should be on fun, not financial worry! That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to using ATMs in China. From understanding the compatibility of your cards to explaining any potential fees, we’ve got you covered.
When it comes to cash, one of the main things people visiting China want to know is if it’s possible to withdraw cash using their usual debit or credit card. The short answer to this is yes, you can make cash withdrawals in China with your Australian cards. However, you are likely to be charged for doing this, and the amount you’ll be charged will depend on the type of Chinese ATM you use.
One of the most common types of ATMs you’ll come across in China is independent ATMs, which are owned and operated outside of the Chinese banking system. Because there are so many of them, particularly in tourist areas and airports, they are a super convenient option for withdrawing cash, but they often have higher transaction fees and lower withdrawal limits, so this convenience often comes at a cost.
You’ll also find bank-owned ATMs in China that are owned and run by banks, including Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and China Construction Bank. These ATMs tend to charge less to withdraw money and also accept international payment cards affiliated with major networks like Visa, Mastercard, and Union Pay. However, they also have withdrawal limits, so you’ll need to plan carefully and think about how much you realistically need in order to avoid multiple transaction fees.
As well as the different types of ATMs in China, there are some functional and feature differences between Australian and Chinese ATMs that you need to know about before using one.
The first, and potentially the hardest to navigate, is the language barrier. Chinese ATMs will almost always display everything in Mandarin, but many have the option to navigate the menu in English, which will either be displayed with “英語” or have a flag that represents an English-speaking country.
Another thing you may find is that some Chinese ATMs have advanced security features, including facial recognition and QR code scanning, to access certain features. Don’t panic too much if you see these, as these features are only relevant to customers of certain Chinese banks, so you simply won’t be prompted to use them when you insert an international payment card.
PIN entry is also slightly different in Chinese ATMs, as Chinese banks use a six-digit PIN system. Don’t worry if you only have a four-digit PIN for your card, though, as simply adding two zeros to the front of your number usually works (although we recommend checking this with your bank before you travel).
Regardless of whether you visit a bank-owned ATM or an independent ATM in China, you will be charged for withdrawing cash. However, as we explained earlier, the fee amounts differ between them quite significantly.
At a bank-owned ATM, which will typically offer lower fees, you can expect to be charged around ¥20 Chinese Yuan ($4.20 AUD) per transaction. You will also be able to withdraw more cash at once at a bank-owned ATM with a maximum withdrawal limit of ¥20,000 CNY ($4,200 AUD) per day, although we wouldn’t recommend taking out so much cash unless absolutely necessary.
Fees are higher at independent ATMs, and you’ll be charged up to ¥30 CNY ($6.30 AUD) for each transaction. Not only are the fees higher, but compared to bank-owned ATMs, withdrawal limits are much lower, and you can usually only withdraw a maximum of ¥2,500 CNY ($530 AUD) per day.
Top Tip: One of the best ways of avoiding ATM fees altogether is by exchanging your money before your trip and taking cash with you. You can find the best rates on AUD to CNY here.
While it’s best to take cash with you to China and avoid ATMs where possible to save money on fees, there may be some instances where you have no choice but to withdraw cash. In these cases, there are some safety and security measures you should follow to keep both your finances and your personal information protected.
Before you do anything else, take a moment to consider the location of the ATM. It should be in a well-lit, populated area as this will make you less of a target for theft and give you more confidence in your safety. ATMs located within bank branches or in airports or shopping centres are best for this, and if at all possible, avoid using ATMs at night.
Once you’re confident that the ATM you’ve chosen is located in a safe area, take a moment to inspect the ATM before inserting your card. Look for any signs of tampering or devices attached to the card reader, as these could be skimming devices designed to read your card information. Likewise, if you feel there is some resistance when inserting your card, withdraw it straight away, as this could be a card trap.
In either of these cases, or if something else doesn’t seem quite right, notify the bank or company that owns and operates the ATM straight away. You should also let your own bank know what you’ve experienced so they can keep a close eye on your account for any suspicious activity.
Assuming you feel confident with using the ATM following your inspection, insert your card an enter your PIN as requested. Make sure you remain vigilant when doing this, shielding the keypad with your hand and positioning yourself so nobody is able to see the screen as you make your transaction. Trust your instincts when it comes to people surrounding you, too, and if anything feels unsafe, cancel your transaction immediately and choose another ATM.
While this isn’t a part of using the actual ATM, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your account activity in the days following your transaction. Look for any suspicious or unauthorised transactions, and if you do spot any, contact your bank or credit card provider straight away. They will be able to freeze or cancel your card and investigate further, potentially returning any stolen money to your account in the process.
If the worst happens and you think you’ve lost your card or been a victim of theft, the first thing you need to do is contact your bank or your credit card provider, who will cancel the card and stop it from being used for any transactions. They’ll also arrange for a replacement card to be sent to the address registered on your bank account, and if you are reliant on withdrawing money while you’re in China, they will advise you of the best way to do this without your card.
You may also be asked to report the incident to the Chinese police authority if you believe it’s been stolen, as this will help your bank or credit card provider with their investigation and allow them to refund the money from any unauthorised transactions back to your account.
Even though you can use your Australian debit or credit card to withdraw cash in China, albeit with a fee and withdrawal limit, we highly recommend taking cash with you instead. The main reason for this is that you’ll be offered better rates, be able to avoid fees, and keep yourself and your finances safer.
Another benefit to taking cash to China is that you aren’t limited to where you can visit. While credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas, smaller businesses and markets may only accept cash payments, which means you’ll find yourself in a bit of an embarrassing situation if you aren’t able to pay for goods and services if you don’t have any cash.
So, you know that taking cash to China is the best choice, not only for the convenience of being able to shop anywhere but also because it means you don’t have to pay expensive ATM fees or International Transaction Fees. But how else can you prepare for your trip to China to make the most of the experience and keep everything stress-free? Here are some of our top planning tips.
One of the most important things you need to do when planning a trip to China is research your visa requirements. At present, Australian Citizens do require a visa to visit China, and the type of visa you’ll need depends on the purpose of your visit. For tourist purposes, you’ll need a “China L Visa”, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 30 days, and you’ll also need to have at least six months remaining on your passport.
Once you’ve sorted your visa, think about where you’d like to visit and what you’d like to do, then create an itinerary for your trip. This might include trips to the Great Wall and Forbidden City or hiking through natural wonders like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Li River. Creating a plan in this way makes it much easier to pinpoint your interests, make sure you’ve allowed time to visit everything you want and leave a couple of “free” days to let China tell you what you’ll be doing!
Planning an itinerary also makes it possible to create a carefully structured travel budget, outlining all of your expenses, including accommodation costs, travel costs, food, drink, shopping, and activities. This not only helps you understand how much money you’ll need in total (plus an extra 10%-20% for unforeseen expenses) but also means you’ll know how much you need to exchange before your trip, saving you money on transaction fees and charges.
It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with Chinese customs and etiquette before your trip, as this will help you show respect and appreciation for local traditions. Common practices in China include removing your shoes before entering a home, using both hands to exchange money, and avoiding talking about certain things, like politics.
You should also plan for every eventuality while you're in China, and the best way of doing this is by purchasing a travel insurance policy before you leave. This will protect you financially from things like cancelled flights or accommodation, lost luggage, and medical expenses. Likewise, it’s a good idea to have the contact details for The Australian Embassy in China saved to your phone, as they’ll be able to help if you lose your passport or find yourself in a situation that travel insurance cannot help with.
We hope that all of the information we’ve provided above answers any questions you might have about using ATMs in China. The main takeaway is that, while it is possible, you will be charged a fee (which differs between each type of ATM), and you’ll be limited to how much you can withdraw. With this in mind, we highly recommend exchanging your money before your trip.
At Crown Currency Exchange, you’ll find the best rates on AUD to CNY, with no commission fees or hidden costs, keeping more money in your travel budget! Visit one of our many locations today and speak with our expert team, who will walk you through everything you need to know about buying Chinese Yuan and help you on your way to the holiday of a lifetime!