Cash in China

Question

Do I need to have small change/cash at all for small market stalls?

Answer

In China, cash is becoming less common, especially in cities, but small market stalls, street food vendors, and rural areas may still prefer or only accept cash.

Most urban vendors now accept digital payments via WeChat Pay or Alipay, which is convenient and eliminates the need for carrying coins or small bills. However, relying entirely on digital payments can be limiting in certain situations.

Small market stalls and street vendors may not have QR codes for digital payments.
Some public transport, like certain buses or minibuses in smaller cities, may require exact cash.
Remote or rural areas, especially markets, may have vendors who do not accept cards or mobile payment.

Practical advice:

Carry some small denomination RMB (1, 5, 10, 20 yuan) for small purchases, tips, or places that do not accept mobile payments.
Use digital payments whenever possible for convenience, especially in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Keep larger bills (50, 100 RMB) for hotels, taxis, and restaurants, but have change ready if paying small amounts.

In summary, while digital payments are widespread and often preferred, having some cash in small denominations is recommended for market stalls, street vendors, or rural areas.

Cash in China

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