Try your Malaysian card at an ATM inside a major bank branch, in daytime, after you have told your bank you will travel. Carry a small amount of RMB so the first withdrawal is never urgent.
If you worry that a machine will swallow your card or refuse it at an awkward moment, a short check at home settles most of that.
What should you do at home first?
Call or open your banking app and settle these points:
- Overseas withdrawals are switched on for your card.
- Your daily limit suits the amount you may need.
- You know the fees, including any fee for foreign currency.
- Your PIN works, and you know how it is entered for overseas use.
- The lost-card number from abroad is saved offline.
This is your own bank’s policy, so no website can tell you the exact answers. A short call is worth the time.
Where are the machines?
Bank outlets are widespread. Authorities say more than 60,000 bank outlets nationwide offer foreign currency exchange, and kiosks at airports and border ports dispense RMB banknotes[1]. That figure dates from March 2024.
Authorities also committed to keeping adequate cash reserves for overseas visitors in key cities and scenic spots[2]. Machines inside bank branches, large malls and airports are the easiest to find in a new city.
How do you make a first withdrawal?
Pick a machine at a bank branch in daylight and bring a travel companion if you can. Choose the English language option, enter the PIN while covering the keypad and take a modest amount first.
Count the notes, keep the receipt and check your banking app. If something looks wrong, call your bank before trying again at another machine.
How much should you carry out of the country?
Cash above RMB 20,000, or foreign currency above US$5,000 equivalent, must be declared on entry or exit[3]. Most travellers stay far below that. Still, check the customs notice before you travel.
What if the machine refuses?
Try another bank’s machine, then use a wallet app or the cash you brought. Read about cards in China to see which payment style suits each part of your day.
For exchange rates and starter amounts, see our guide to exchanging ringgit to RMB. If you travel with parents, read the backup plan for seniors. You will find the wider checklist in what to verify about payment methods and the prep topic hub.