Fakes:

Like most countries, fake money is a problem inChinaand both the Government and people make efforts to stamp it out. The common notes that may be forged are sometimes the 20RMB (RMB is the currency unit ofChina), but often the 50’s and frequently 100’s. If you’ve bought RMB from overseas this is likely to be fine, so study your notes well. A simple way to determine if it’s a genuine note is to scratch the shoulder of Chairman Mao, found on all RMB (or ‘Yuan’) notes, with your thumbnail. If his shoulder feels grooved and scratchy, even only slightly, then it is good. Give it a quick scratch before putting it in your wallet or pocket at a shop. If in doubt, refuse to accept a potentially dodgy or simply old and battered note. They should give you another without hesitation. Many shops now use note authenticity machines to ensure they’re genuine. Unfortunately, most tourists experience receiving a fake 100RMB note in the course of their stay inChina. In touristy sites they are very good at ‘switching’ good for bad notes if you buy a souvenir. They can be very clever with their hands! Be vigilant!