You can withdraw cash from ATMs in China using a foreign debit or credit card, but it works better at some machines than others, and there are a few things that will trip you up if you don't know them in advance.
Here's what you actually need to know.
Which ATMs Accept Foreign Cards
Not every ATM in China accepts foreign cards. The ones that reliably do:
Bank of China (中国银行) — The most consistently foreigner-friendly option. Bank of China ATMs in airports, hotels, and major urban areas have English interfaces and good success rates with foreign Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay cards.
ICBC (工商银行) — Also widely available, usually has an English language option, and accepts Visa/Mastercard. One of the largest ATM networks in the country.
China Construction Bank (建设银行) and Agricultural Bank of China (农业银行) — Generally reliable in major cities. Less consistent in smaller cities and rural areas.
HSBC and Citibank — Both have a limited ATM presence in China (mainly in Shanghai, Beijing, a few other major cities). If you have accounts with either, these can be useful but don't count on finding them outside major urban areas.
What to avoid or approach carefully: Small regional banks, convenience store ATMs without major bank branding, and older machines in non-tourist areas. These sometimes technically accept foreign cards but fail more often.
The Practical Step-by-Step
- Find a Bank of China or ICBC ATM — usually the most reliable starting point
- Insert your card, select English if available
- Select "Savings" for debit cards or "Credit" for credit cards when prompted for account type
- Enter your PIN — note that Chinese ATM PINs are typically 6 digits; if your card has a 4-digit PIN, it usually still works but some machines prompt for 6
- Withdraw in RMB (Chinese yuan) — this is the default option
How Much You Can Withdraw
Two limits apply:
Daily ATM withdrawal limit set by the Chinese bank — Most ATMs cap single transactions at ¥2,500–¥3,000 (~$345–$415 USD). Bank of China often allows up to ¥3,000 per transaction and two transactions per day per card, for a daily max of around ¥6,000 (~$830 USD).
Daily withdrawal limit set by your home bank — Your own bank's daily ATM limit applies regardless of what the Chinese ATM allows. If your home bank limits you to $300 USD per day in foreign ATM withdrawals, that's what you'll get.
If you need larger amounts, plan multiple days or use multiple cards.
ATM Fees to Expect
Most foreign cards incur two types of fees on international ATM withdrawals:
- Foreign transaction fee from your home bank — typically 1–3% of the transaction amount
- ATM operator fee from the Chinese bank — usually ¥20–¥30 (~$3–4 USD) per transaction
Some banks and cards waive these. Charles Schwab, Wise, and a few other fintech cards are known for low or no foreign ATM fees. If you travel frequently, it's worth having at least one card from a low-fee provider.
Common Failure Points
"Transaction declined" with no obvious reason — This is usually one of: your home bank has flagged the transaction as suspicious (call them before you travel and tell them you're going to China), your card's foreign transaction settings require activation, or the ATM itself doesn't support your card network. Try a different ATM at a different bank first.
Card network compatibility — Most Chinese ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard. UnionPay is the dominant Chinese network. American Express is poorly supported — don't rely on it for ATM withdrawals in China. If you have a UnionPay card, it works everywhere.
Your PIN doesn't work — If you've never used your debit card internationally, some banks require you to activate international ATM use. Call your bank before you leave.
Network connectivity errors on the ATM — These happen. Try again in a few minutes or use a different machine. Don't assume your card was charged if the transaction failed visibly.
How Much Cash Do You Actually Need?
This has changed significantly over the past few years. Most of everyday life in China — restaurants, taxis, convenience stores, markets — now runs on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Many vendors in tourist areas and major cities genuinely prefer mobile payment.
That said, having ¥500–1,000 cash ($70–140 USD) on hand is reasonable as a backup for:
- Small street vendors and food stalls
- Rural or smaller towns where mobile payment penetration is lower
- Emergency situations if your phone dies or payment apps fail
- Tips in environments where they're customary (rare in China, but occasionally applies)
For most urban trips, you won't spend much cash if you've set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card.
Setting Up as a Backup to Mobile Payment
Cash is a backup, not a primary strategy. If you haven't set up a Chinese mobile payment option yet, that's worth doing before your trip — it'll make daily life considerably easier. Here's how Alipay works for foreign visitors, and here's how Alipay compares to WeChat Pay for tourists.
If mobile payments haven't worked out for you, or you're in a situation where cash is genuinely needed, the ATM approach above is reliable — just use Bank of China or ICBC, expect modest fees, and have your home bank's international access confirmed.
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This guide covers the basics. If real-world friction shows up, you can compare the support options and choose the level of human backup that fits your trip.