You have probably heard rumors that China is "cashless and WeChat-only." That is true for Chinese locals, but not true for international travelers. Credit cards, international ATMs, PayPal, and cash all work reliably — you just need to know where each method is most useful.
Below is a complete, practical guide covering every accepted payment option, where each works, and how to avoid the most common payment frustrations on the ground.
Rule of Thumb
Use Visa/Mastercard for hotels and mid+ restaurants. Keep 300–500 CNY cash for street food, small shops, buses, and local taxis. Use Alipay International as your universal backup — no Chinese phone number or ID card required.
Credit & Debit Cards
Cards with Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay branding are widely accepted at mid-to-large establishments. Here is exactly where each works:
Visa & Mastercard — Accepted at roughly 90% of large hotels, chain restaurants, shopping malls, tourist attractions, international supermarkets, and airport & high-speed-rail ticket counters.
American Express, JCB, Discover — Narrower coverage (~70% of international hotels and major department stores). Rarely accepted outside tier-1 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu. Always have a Visa/Mastercard backup.
UnionPay-branded foreign cards — Work almost everywhere, even in small cities. If your card has a UnionPay logo, always ask the cashier to process it as "UnionPay" instead of the Visa/Mastercard route.
Tip
Always Carry Your Card PIN
Chinese card terminals default to "chip + PIN." Many foreign debit cards will be declined if you do not know your numeric PIN (typically 4–6 digits, depending on your card issuer). Sign-only transactions are rare. Know your PIN before you arrive.
PayPal
PayPal works for online bookings before and during your trip. You cannot pay a street vendor with it directly, but it unlocks two very useful scenarios:
Book hotels, trains, and flights on Trip.com (Ctrip): PayPal is a first-class payment option here with zero transaction friction. Great for booking from home before your flight.
Link PayPal to your Alipay Tour Pass account: You can use your PayPal balance or a linked card as the funding source inside Alipay International, which then works anywhere Alipay QR codes are accepted (coverage ~80% of merchants).
Alipay International (Tour Pass)
Alipay has a special Tour Pass program specifically for foreign visitors. It requires a foreign phone number (no Chinese SIM needed) and works in a few simple steps:
1
Download Alipay
Get the app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Language switches automatically based on your phone region.
2
Register With Your Foreign Number
Use any international phone number. Upload a photo of your passport data page for identity verification (required by Chinese law).
3
Add an International Card or PayPal
Choose "Add International Card" and enter your Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or link PayPal. The card is charged in CNY at the time of payment.
4
Show Your Payment QR Code
Tap "Pay" to display the dynamic QR code. The cashier scans it and payment completes instantly. No PIN required below ~2,000 CNY.
WeChat Pay for Foreign Cards
WeChat Pay does accept international cards in some cases, but bank support is inconsistent. Alipay International has significantly broader acceptance and reliability for overseas visitors — we recommend going all-in on Alipay if you choose the QR-code route.
Cash & ATMs
Cash will never let you down. It is accepted everywhere — remote villages, mountain tea houses, street vendors, night markets, local buses — anywhere card terminals are impractical.
Best ATM banks for foreign cards: Bank of China (BOC), Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), China Construction Bank (CCB). Look for the UnionPay logo on the machine.
Most reliable locations: Airport arrival halls, inside bank branches, and 24-hour convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart). Stand-alone street ATMs in small towns occasionally run out of cash.
Typical withdrawal limit: 2,000–5,000 CNY per transaction, capped by your home bank's daily card limit.
Fees: ~1% currency-conversion fee charged by your home bank, plus a 10–15 CNY (~2 USD) per-withdrawal fee from the Chinese bank operator. Rates vary by issuer — check with your bank before travel. Always take out 2,000+ CNY per withdrawal to minimize the per-transaction charge.
Budget recommendation: Withdraw roughly 2,000 CNY at a time. That comfortably covers 3–4 days of meals, taxis, local entry tickets, and incidentals for one person.
Arrive With Some Cash
Exchange 200–500 CNY at your home country's airport before departure. This lets you pay for the taxi ride, a SIM card, and your first meal before you find a working ATM. Currency exchange at Chinese international airports also gives reasonable rates if you have USD or EUR in cash.
Common Scenarios — Quick Answers
Street vendors & street food? — Most accept Alipay QR codes. Very small vendors are cash-only. Have 20–50 CNY in small bills (10, 20, 50 CNY notes) ready.
Taxis & Didi (Uber equivalent)? — Use the English-language DiDi app (accepts foreign cards) or ask your hotel concierge to call a taxi. Traditional taxis prefer cash but most will also take Alipay. Always confirm the meter is running before you get in.
24-hour convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson)? — All accept Visa, Mastercard, Alipay, and cash. This includes their in-store cafes and bill-payment services.
Restaurant check & scenic-spot tickets? — All accept cards; smaller family restaurants may only accept cash or local QR. Check the front door for stickers before you sit down.
Tipping? — Tipping is not expected anywhere in mainland China. Service charge is already included in menu prices at most restaurants. Do not leave cash on the restaurant table; servers may chase you down to return it. Rounding up the bill is appreciated at very high-end restaurants only.