CURRENCY EXCHANGE

RMB is the legal tender of the People's Republic of China. At present, paper bills come in six denominations including 1 yuan, 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan, and 100 yuan. There are three types of coins with denominations of 1 jiao, 5 jiao, and 1 yuan.

Features of the Pictures on Paper Bills

Printed on the front of the six paper bills is the portrait of Chairman Mao, the founding leader of China. The lining uses a pattern of famous Chinese flowers.

On the back, pictures of the Great Hall of the People, the Potala Palace, karst landscapes in Guilin, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, Mount Tai, and Hangzhou’s West Lake can be found on the six bills. These images with national features fully express the long history and spectacular landscapes of our great motherland and promote the brilliance of Chinese culture.

1 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is an orchid. Orchids are one of the four gentleman-like flowers and are known for being “noble, elegant and loyal.” The image used on the back is known as “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,” one of the ten top sceneries at Hangzhou’s West Lake.

5 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is a narcissus, which has a graceful name as “a fairy walking on ripples,” is adored by Chinese people. On the back is Mount Tai, which is the head of famous Chinese mountains and located in Tai’an, Shandong.

10 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is a Chinese rose, which is honored as “the queen of flowers” with its graceful shape and rich color. On the back is the Gate of Kui which is at the entrance of the Qutang Gorge. As the west gate of the Three Gorges, it is the shortest one of the three but also the grandest and the most precipitous.

20 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is a lotus which grows out of dirt yet remains clean. It represents a noble and unsullied character and is called the “gentleman of all flowers.” On the back is the landscape of Guilin, a world famous tourist attraction, which has gained its reputation through the phrase “Guilin’s scenery is the best in the world.”

50 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is a chrysanthemum, which is known as the flower of longevity in China. It is one of the four gentleman-like flowers. On the back is the Potala Palace, which is located in Tibet, China. It is a magnificent building that integrates palaces, castles and temples at the highest sea altitude in the world. It is also the largest and the best preserved old palace and castle building group in Tibet.

100 Yuan Note

At the backing of the front of the bill is a plum flower. Plum flowers proudly withstand cold wind and snow in a showcase of their righteousness. It represents the characteristics of Chinese people. On the back is the Great Hall of the People, a landmark of Beijing, and also a very important place for political activities of the Chinese Communist Party, the country and organizations.

How to Convert Foreign Currencies into RMB

Both banks and international airports have exchange service counters. In China, ATMs are everywhere except for some remote towns and villages.

Banks usually work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and holidays.

Exchange Rate Converter

This convenient exchange rate converter can convert tourists’ foreign currency into the corresponding amount of Chinese yuan. The worldwide exchange rate converter is available at: www.xe.com