Banks and Money Changers with Best Exchange Rates in Guangzhou

The City of Guangzhou is now what was once known as Canton. It is the capital of Guangdong Province and it is located along the Pearl River.

Guangzhou is under the control of the national government. As such, currency exchange services are regulated by the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank.

There are not a lot of money changers in Guangzhou. Perhaps this is due to the regulated rates. Banks also offer better rates than money changers so most people prefer going to banks. You can do this if you don’t mind a longer transaction time.

You can also withdraw CNY through the ATM that has the same rates as bank. Just inquire from your bank about transaction charges.

Be careful about exchanging money at small street shops because these are mostly deemed illegal in China. There is also a risk of getting fake money if you deal with them.

Read on for more information about recommended money changers in Guangzhou. For your convenience, we also included a list of banks near popular tourist areas in Guangzhou, in case you go for this option.

Please be remembered to bring your valid ID since it is a requirement when exchanging money in China.

Some travelers in China prefer to exchange currency at Chinese banks because they offer better rates than independent money changers. This is due to the strict regulations of the Chinese government.

Below is a list of reputable banks that you can find near popular tourist spots in Guangzhou like the People’s Park, Pearl River Park, and Canton Tower.

Take note that that banks have limited business hours and require you to fill up forms which may take a longer transaction time.

Recommended bank branches in the vicinity of People’s Park
1) Bank of China near People’s Park
– This is less than 10 minutes on foot from People’s Park
– Address: 6 Zhongshan 6th Rd, ZhongShan Liu Lu, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 404 5221
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*
– Daily rates

2) Shanghai Pudong Development Bank near People’s Park
– Accepts GBP, HKD, USD, CHF, JPY, CAD, AUS and EUR
– This is to located at the east side of People’s Park
– Address: Yuexiu Real Estate Building, 28 Jixiang Road, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 208 334 9080
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*

Recommended bank branches in the vicinity of Pearl River Park
1) Bank of China near Pearl River Park
– This is less than 10 minutes to the north of Pearl River Park
– Address: Jinsui Rd, Tianhe Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 95566 (Hotline)
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*
– Daily rates

2) Ping An Bank near Pearl River Park
– This is approximately 10 minutes on foot to the north of Pearl River Park
– Address: Hai’an Rd, Tianhe Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 8062321
– Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 19:00

Recommended bank branches in the vicinity of Canton Tower
1) Bank of China near Canton Tower
– This is less than 10 minutes on foot to the south of Canton Tower
– Address: 205-209 Yiyuan Rd, Haizhu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 414 5137
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*
– Daily rates

2) Citic Bank near Canton Tower
– This is approximately 7 minutes on foot to the south of Canton Tower
– Address: 211 Yiyuan Rd, Haizhu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 95558 (Hotline)
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*
– Daily rates

Recommended bank branches in the vicinity of Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
1) China Merchants Bank near Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
– This is less than 10 minutes on foot from Shangxiajiu Square
– Address: 287 Kangwang S Rd, ChangDi Lu GouWu XiuXian Jie, Liwan Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 20 8123 4827
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*

2) Bank of China near Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
– Address: 14 Dade Rd, ChangDi Lu GouWu XiuXian Jie, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 95566 (Hotline)
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00*
– Daily rates

* Opening hours might differ, so it is best to call the branch before visiting.

United Money is a reputable Beijing-based currency exchange company, operating 33 branches in major cities in China.

In Guangzhou, it runs 5 outlets which are located in popular commercial and tourist areas as well as at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

If you are going to visit Pearl River Park, you can exchange money at United Money’s nearby branch along Xingsheng Road.

Branches
1) United Money @ Xingsheng Road
– It is less than 5 minutes away from Liede subway station and Pearl River Park
– Address: 138 Xingsheng Rd, Tianhe Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 802 9982
– Opening hours: Daily 11:00 – 22:00

2) United Money @ Airport Road
– This branch is only 3 minutes on foot from Yuncheng Hotel Guangzhou
– Address: Shop 139 1/F Jianfa Plaza, 111 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 208 375 4166
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00

3) United Money @ Liwan Qu
– It is situated at the first floor of South China Film Cineplex
– Address: 133 Huanshi W Rd, SanYuanLi, Liwan Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 208 148 3523
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00

4) United Money @ Zhongtai International Plaza
– This outlet is a 2 minute walk from Guangzhou East Railway Station
– Address: Zhongtai International Plaza, No. 161 Linhe West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 821 9662
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 20:00

5) United Money @ Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
– Address: Departure Hall, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 606 7817
– Opening hours: Daily 06:30 – 23:00

Geoswift, a Hong Kong-based global payment service company with offices in Hong Kong, China, England, Canada and America, is among the most reliable addresses to exchange money in China.

Geoswift has 24 offices throughout China, but it operates only one branch in Guangzhou. This outlet is conveniently located within walking distance from Guangzhou World Trade Center Complex, Guangzhou Friendship Mall and La Perle Shopping Mall.

Branch information
– Address: Room 106, No 68, TaoJin Rd, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 208 348 8500
– Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00

International Currency Exchange is a well-known global chain in the money changing business. It was established in London and has been in operation for more than 40 years.

The company has 2 branches in Guangzhou that are both located at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. If you need to exchange cash to use for taxi fare or to buy food upon arrival, visit the outlet at the Arrivals hall.

Branches
1) International Currency Exchange @ Arrivals, Guangzhou Airport
– Address: International Arrivals, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 606 7613
– Opening hours: Daily 06:00 – 23:30

2) International Currency Exchange @ Departures, Guangzhou Airport
– Address: International Departures, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 203 606 7689
– Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:30

Transforex is another popular local forex chain, which operates in all major cities and provinces in China.

The company has one branch in Guangzhou located near the Global International Trade Center. Take note that this branch accepts these 6 currencies only: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, HKD and AUD.

To check its daily rates, follow this link.

Branch information
– Address: 59 Guangyuan West Rd Side Rd, SanYuanLi, Yuexiu Qu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
– Phone: +86 208 550 1179
– Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00 (opening hours might differ, so it is best to call the branch before visiting)