China Travel Guide: Visa, Trains, Payments & Apps

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Payments & Currency
Currency & Payments in China
China runs on mobile payments. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure, carry a backup card and cash, and you will be ready for every transaction — from a street-food stall to a high-speed train booking.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Do not rely on a foreign credit or debit card for everyday spending.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international hotels, upmarket restaurants and large shopping malls. But most local restaurants, street-food stalls, convenience stores, markets and taxis only accept mobile payment — Alipay or WeChat Pay. Set those up before departure, or you will struggle to pay for lunch.
Step by Step
How to Pay in China
Four things to sort out before you land. The rest you will figure out at the counter.
Set up mobile payment before departure
Download Alipay or WeChat, register with your phone number, and link an international card. Verification may take a day or two — do this from home while you have access to your bank app and email.
How to pay in person
Two ways: the merchant scans a QR code on your phone screen, or you scan the merchant's QR code and enter the amount. Either way takes seconds. The cashier will usually point to the right code.
Bring a backup
Mobile payments can fail — weak signal, card declined, verification glitch. Carry one physical card (Visa/Mastercard) and ¥500–1,000 in cash as insurance. In smaller towns and street markets, cash is still the easiest fallback.
Where to get cash
ATMs at Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank or Agricultural Bank of China have English menus and accept foreign cards. Decline "dynamic currency conversion" — always choose to be charged in RMB. Airport exchange counters give the worst rates.
Good to Know
Practical Payment Tips
Which app does this place take?
Most city businesses accept both Alipay and WeChat Pay. Some smaller vendors take only one. Having both installed avoids the awkward moment of realizing you cannot pay.
Large notes can be hard to break
ATMs often dispense ¥100 notes. Small street vendors and taxi drivers may not have change. Keep ¥10, ¥20 and ¥50 notes handy for small purchases.
Hotel deposits
International hotels usually accept foreign credit cards for the room deposit and bill. Budget hotels and guesthouses may prefer cash or mobile payment — confirm when booking.
Tipping is not expected
China does not have a tipping culture. High-end international hotels and tour guides are the rare exception, not the rule. No one will be offended if you do not tip.
Learn From Others
Common Payment Mistakes
Arriving with only a foreign credit card and no mobile payment set up — the single most common and most stressful mistake.
Exchanging large amounts at airport counters — the worst exchange rates available.
Assuming every ATM accepts foreign cards — look for Visa, Mastercard or Plus logos on the machine.
Forgetting to tell your bank you are traveling — your card may be blocked on the first transaction.
Payment platform features, foreign card support and exchange rates change frequently. This guidance reflects the situation as of July 2026. Always confirm your card compatibility on the official Alipay and WeChat Pay websites before traveling.
More Travel Preparation
Essential Apps
Set up Alipay and WeChat
Visa & Entry
Check entry requirements
Connectivity
Stay online during your trip
Set Up Mobile Payment Before You Fly
The number one thing you can do right now is download Alipay or WeChat, register, and link a card. Everything else gets easier once payments are sorted.
See the Essential Apps Guide

Payments & Currency

China runs on mobile payments. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure, carry a backup card and cash, and you will be ready for every transaction — from a street-food stall to a high-speed train booking.

Do not rely on a foreign credit or debit card for everyday spending.

Step by Step

How to Pay in China

Four things to sort out before you land. The rest you will figure out at the counter.

Set up mobile payment before departure

Download Alipay or WeChat, register with your phone number, and link an international card. Verification may take a day or two — do this from home while you have access to your bank app and email.

How to pay in person

Two ways: the merchant scans a QR code on your phone screen, or you scan the merchant's QR code and enter the amount. Either way takes seconds. The cashier will usually point to the right code.

Bring a backup

Mobile payments can fail — weak signal, card declined, verification glitch. Carry one physical card (Visa/Mastercard) and ¥500–1,000 in cash as insurance. In smaller towns and street markets, cash is still the easiest fallback.

Where to get cash

ATMs at Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank or Agricultural Bank of China have English menus and accept foreign cards. Decline "dynamic currency conversion" — always choose to be charged in RMB. Airport exchange counters give the worst rates.

Good to Know

Practical Payment Tips

Which app does this place take?

Most city businesses accept both Alipay and WeChat Pay. Some smaller vendors take only one. Having both installed avoids the awkward moment of realizing you cannot pay.

Large notes can be hard to break

ATMs often dispense ¥100 notes. Small street vendors and taxi drivers may not have change. Keep ¥10, ¥20 and ¥50 notes handy for small purchases.

Hotel deposits

International hotels usually accept foreign credit cards for the room deposit and bill. Budget hotels and guesthouses may prefer cash or mobile payment — confirm when booking.

Tipping is not expected

China does not have a tipping culture. High-end international hotels and tour guides are the rare exception, not the rule. No one will be offended if you do not tip.

Learn From Others

Common Payment Mistakes

Payment platform features, foreign card support and exchange rates change frequently. This guidance reflects the situation as of July 2026. Always confirm your card compatibility on the official Alipay and WeChat Pay websites before traveling.

More Travel Preparation

Essential Apps

Visa & Entry

Connectivity

Set Up Mobile Payment Before You Fly

The number one thing you can do right now is download Alipay or WeChat, register, and link a card. Everything else gets easier once payments are sorted.