Chinese currency - CNY

I%26#39;ll be travelling to China in about a month with Viking River Cruises. Is it useful to have some CNY on hand for tips and small items or will most places accept USD and credit cards? Thanks

Chinese currency - CNY

You will definitely need local cash. You can%26#39;t use USD, and you can only use credit cards in major hotels and some big restaurants and shops.

Chinese currency - CNY

And tipping is generally not practiced in China, thank god!

You need cash (CNY) for almost everything. ATM machines work fine. And please please please don%26#39;t tip!!!!!

bring CNY for sure. USD is not accept in most places. In Shanghai only fake market accept USD;)

Thanks for the feedback. Will I be able to find atm%26#39;s in Bejing and Shanghai? How about Xian? If so, I%26#39;ll just plan to load up on local currency at one of those cities.

There is an ATM every 500 yards everywhere in China. Banking is a big business there.

Snag plenty of CNY when you hit Beijing or Shanghai. Hopefully Beijing has changed, but when I was there in 2004 most ATMs in our little neighborhood were not plugged into the major worldwide networks. Hopefully recent visitors can update me on ATMs there.

Shanghai seemed a little better a year or two later -- all in all just look for the STAR, PLUS , or CIRRUS stickers on the airport ATMS and you%26#39;ll be in great shape.

Have Fun!