Do you want to bring the money in cash? If yes, i am sorry to tell you that the limited amount is 5000. If you want to take more, you need to get a certificate in Bank of China in your country. I think you can use a credit card, then you can take as much as you want.
The second question: the tax for cigarettes is 50%. If 1 cartons of the cigarette is 100 CNY, you need to pay extra 50 CNY as a tax. Understand?

Thank you kindly for your reply!

As for the money - can I bring $5000 AND 20,000 Yuan without having to declare it? If so, I am OK because it works out to be just the amount I need.

As for the cigarettes, the tax is according to the amount I paid for them in the duty free (do I show a receipt?) or do the Chinese customs decides how much they cost?

Hi，t's ok to take 5000 us dallors and 20000 yuan. You are so clever. But i still suggest you to take a credit card as it will be much safer. You may need to take your recipt.Good luck!

Thank you!