Buy Chinese Yuan Online

Credit and debit cards are accepted in most urban areas of China, although China is very much a cash-oriented society and your bank or card provider might charge transaction fees.

If you’re planning on travelling to more remote areas, it’s a good idea to take cash.

As you’d expect in such a vast country, prices in China will vary widely depending on the area you’re visiting. As a tourist, you might expect to pay around:

• 25 CNY (around £2.70) for a coffee.
• 200 CNY (around £21.40) for a mid-range meal for two people.
• 498 CNY (around £53.20) for a mid-range double hotel room.

The official currency of China is the Renminbi (Yuan), and no other currencies are accepted.

British passport holders will need to apply for a visa to visit China. It can be a lengthy process, so apply well in advance of your planned travel dates, at least 2 to 3 months. You’ll need to make your application in person at a Visa Application Centre.

You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.

Tipping at street food markets and taxis is not usually expected in China. In more tourist areas, restaurant staff may welcome a tip of 10-20% for good service, but this isn’t compulsory.

The main language in China is Mandarin. It’s spoken in most major cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, and by the majority of the population. There are also several hundred regional dialects and Chinese language groups used across the nation, including:

• Standard Chinese
• Cantonese (Yue)
• Gan
• Hakka
• Min
• Wu
• Xiang

China is generally considered a safe country to visit, but be aware of cultural sensitivities and obey local laws. It’s always a good idea to check the latest government travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office advice  before you travel.

China is an incredible place to visit all year round. Depending on the type of trip you’re planning, you can find great places to visit in China in any season, from the Yu Garden to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

In peak summer, from around May to August, the south of the country is very hot. This is also the rainy season, with high humidity and frequent downpours.

Central China has particularly cold winters, with temperatures rarely rising above freezing between December and March.

For more moderate weather, lots of people choose to visit in the spring and autumn, avoiding the extreme temperatures.

Basically, yes. Renminbi is the name of the currency and Yuan is the primary unit of Renminbi, similar to the difference between sterling and pound.

China has one official currency, the Renminbi (RMB), but it has two forms, CNY and CNH. The Chinese Renminbi (RMB) is used for domestic transactions within mainland China, whereas the Chinese Yuan (CNY) is used for international transactions.

Yes. By buying your Chinese Yuan before you fly, you could get more favourable exchange rates. Exchanging travel money at the airport may leave you worse off.

Not any more. The Chinese Yuan was pegged to the US Dollar from 1997 to 2005 because it made Chinese exports more in demand than exports from other countries.