Tips & Answers · Community post
Do I need cash in China as a tourist
jine4433Shared Aug 22, 2026I know China is basically a cashless society now and you can pay with your phone everywhere, but I still wanted to ask: should I bring some cash? I just feel a bit anxious without any on me.
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Louise MartinAug 22
Definitely, you cannot go wrong having some cash on you. I would recommend bringing around 500 RMB. A practical tip is to take one 100 RMB bill to a convenience store or supermarket and buy a bottle of water or gum to break it into smaller change.
Emergencies happen. If your phone dies or you lose service, having small bills on hand can be a real lifesaver.