Money is one of the easiest things to get right in Pékin — and one of the easiest to quietly overpay on. Here's how to pay smart in Pékin, Chine: the currency, cards versus cash, what to budget, transport payments and tipping, with the local specifics just an in-app question away.
The currency & how to pay
yuan chinois (CNY) — conseil : ayez un peu d'argent liquide pour les marchés et petits vendeurs, bien que le paiement mobile (WeChat/Alipay) soit omniprésent. In short, lead with a card that charges no foreign transaction fees for most spending — it gives you the best exchange rate and the most protection — and keep a little local cash for markets, tips and the small places cards don't reach. Whether you're at a shop terminal or an ATM in Pékin, always choose to be charged in the local currency, never your home currency: the 'home currency' option builds in a markup that's almost always worse than your card's own rate.
- Lead with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for most spending
- Carry some local cash for markets, tips and small vendors
- Always pay in the local currency in Pékin, never your home currency
What things cost in Pékin
As a rough guide, plan around $60–$200/jour selon le style (budget à milieu de gamme à confortable) in Pékin — adjust up for boutique hotels and fine dining, down for hostels, street food and free sights. Set a daily number before you go and track it loosely so a few splurges don't quietly blow the budget. Many of the best experiences here — wandering neighborhoods, markets and viewpoints — cost little or nothing.
- Budget guide: $60–$200/jour selon le style (budget à milieu de gamme à confortable)
- Set a daily spend for Pékin and track it loosely
- Mix paid highlights with free walks, markets and viewpoints
Getting around & paying for transport
Pékin dispose d'un vaste réseau de métro économique qui dessert la plupart des attractions ; les taxis et applications de VTC comme DiDi sont largement disponibles mais attention aux encombrements aux heures de pointe. Se promener est agréable dans les hutongs et sur les places centrales, mais comptez de longues distances entre les principaux sites. Wherever you can, use the official transport payment method — a transit card, pass or contactless tap — rather than paying a premium in cash, and agree fares or use a meter or a rideshare app for taxis to avoid being overcharged.
- Use the official transit card, pass or contactless tap
- Agree the fare or use a meter / rideshare app for taxis
- Keep small change for short rides and tickets
Tipping in Pékin
Tipping customs vary a lot between countries, so it's worth knowing the local norm in Chine before you arrive rather than assuming your home habit. As a sensible default, round up or leave a small token for good service where tipping is customary, and never feel pressured where it isn't. For the exact, up-to-date tipping etiquette in Pékin — restaurants, taxis, hotels and guides — just ask Mike in the app.
- Learn the local tipping norm for Chine before you go
- Round up for good service where tipping is customary
- Ask Mike for the exact tipping etiquette in Pékin
Money-smart in Pékin
A few habits keep more money in your pocket in Pékin: withdraw cash from bank ATMs (not airport or tourist-strip exchange kiosks, which have the worst rates), take out larger amounts less often, decline any machine's offer to 'convert' to your home currency, and keep a backup card stored separately in case one is lost or blocked.
- Use bank ATMs, not airport exchange kiosks
- Decline 'home currency' conversion at every ATM and till
- Carry a backup card stored separately from your main wallet
