How to Pay in China: A Complete Guide for Tourists
China has undergone a massive digital-payment revolution. If you arrive expecting to swipe a Visa card everywhere, you are in for a surprise. Here is everything you need to know to handle money smoothly during your trip.
Mobile Payments: The Default Way to Pay
Over 90 % of daily transactions in urban China happen through two apps: WeChat Pay and Alipay. Street vendors, restaurants, taxis, even some public restrooms — they all display a QR code.
Setting Up WeChat Pay as a Foreigner
- Download WeChat and register with your phone number.
- Open Me → Services → Wallet and follow the identity-verification flow. Since 2023 foreigners can bind an international Visa or Mastercard directly.
- Top up a small amount (¥200–500) to get started.
Tip: Complete the identity verification before you board your flight — the process can take 24–48 hours.
Setting Up Alipay (Tour Pass)
- Download Alipay and select the international version.
- Tap Tour Pass on the home screen and bind your international card.
- You can load funds in CNY; unspent balance is refunded automatically.
Alipay's Tour Pass is the easiest option for short-stay tourists because it does not require a Chinese bank account.
Where Cash Still Matters
While mobile payments dominate, keep some cash handy for:
- Rural areas and small towns where QR-code adoption is patchy.
- Older markets and street vendors who prefer banknotes.
- Emergency back-up — network outages do happen.
You can withdraw RMB from ATMs at any bank displaying the UnionPay logo. Most international cards (Visa, Mastercard) work at Bank of China and ICBC ATMs.
International Card Acceptance
Hotels, upscale restaurants, and airport shops usually accept Visa and Mastercard. However:
- Most small shops and restaurants do not accept foreign cards.
- Always ask "可以刷卡吗？" (kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma — Can I pay by card?) before ordering.
ATM Tips
| Bank | Foreign Cards | 24-Hour ATMs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of China | ✅ | ✅ | ¥0–20 per txn |
| ICBC | ✅ | ✅ | ¥0–15 per txn |
| China Merchants | ✅ | Most | ¥15 per txn |
| Rural banks | ❌ | Rare | N/A |
Tip: Notify your home bank before travelling so they do not flag overseas withdrawals as fraud.
Currency Exchange
Exchange at the airport offers poor rates. Instead:
- Use ATMs for the best rate (your bank's forex rate + small fee).
- Exchange at Bank of China branches in the city for competitive rates.
- Avoid hotel front-desk exchange — rates are significantly worse.
Summary Checklist
- Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay before your trip.
- Carry ¥500–1,000 in cash as backup.
- Notify your bank about travel plans.
- Download both WeChat and Alipay — some merchants only support one.
With a bit of preparation you will never be stuck at a checkout counter wondering how to pay. Welcome to the cashless future!