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Payment in China: A Foreign Tourist's Guide

Quick answer

  • Set up Alipay and link your Visa / Mastercard — this covers most everyday payments
  • Keep 500–1000 RMB cash (~$70–140) as backup for small vendors
  • Don't rely on swiping your foreign card directly — acceptance is limited outside hotels and airports

Setting Up Alipay

Alipay iconAlipay (支付宝)
  1. 1Download Alipay and sign up with your foreign phone number
  2. 2Add your international card (Visa, Mastercard, or JCB)
  3. 3Scan QR codes to pay — works at most merchants in China

Setting Up WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay iconWeChat Pay (微信支付)

WeChat Pay also accepts international cards, but Alipay has wider foreign card support. Some smaller merchants only accept WeChat Pay, so it's worth setting up both.

  1. 1Download WeChat and register an account
  2. 2Go to Me → Services → Wallet and add your card
  3. 3Scan QR codes to pay at merchants

When You Need Cash

🍜Street food & small vendors
Alipay / WeChat Pay accepted, cash as backup
🚕Taxis (non-Didi)
Alipay / WeChat Pay or cash
🏨Hotels
Alipay / WeChat Pay or card
🛍️Shopping malls
Alipay / WeChat Pay universal
🛒Supermarkets
Alipay / WeChat Pay universal
🍽️Restaurants
Alipay / WeChat Pay universal, cash accepted

Source and verification

RMB cash legal-tender rule

Sources

Last verified: 2026-03-11

Scope:Official policy

Covers: Cash acceptance as a legal obligation

Direct Foreign Card Acceptance

Swiping your physical Visa / Mastercard directly — not via Alipay or WeChat Pay.

🏨International hotelsAvailable
✈️AirportsAvailable
🛍️Shopping mallsPartial
🍽️Chain restaurantsPartial
🏪Convenience storesPartial
🍜Street vendorsBlocked
🚕TaxisBlocked
🚄Train tickets (at station)Blocked

Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted foreign networks. Amex and JCB have very limited coverage. UnionPay works best if your home bank issues it.

Source and verification

Direct foreign-card acceptance by scene

Sources

Last verified: 2026-03-11

Scope:Maintained practical guidance

Covers: Typical direct card acceptance outside Alipay and WeChat Pay

Exchange Rate Tips

Indicative mid-market rate

1 USD = 6.83 CNY

USD → CNY

Use this as a planning reference for cash backup and card top-ups, not as a guaranteed settlement rate.

Rate date 2026-04-13. Checked Apr 14, 2026, 3:26 AM UTC via Frankfurter.

  • •Exchange currency at bank branches for the best rates (Bank of China has most locations)
  • •Airport exchange counters have higher fees — exchange a small amount only
  • •ATMs at major banks accept foreign cards (UnionPay network preferred)
  • •Keep some RMB cash as backup — Alipay / WeChat Pay cover most everyday transactions
  • •Notify your bank about China travel to avoid card blocks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Visa or Mastercard in China?▾
Direct card swiping works reliably at international hotels, airports, and some large chain stores. For everything else, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card — they are accepted at most merchants nationwide.
How much cash should I bring?▾
Bring 500–1000 RMB (roughly $70–140 USD) as backup. Alipay and WeChat Pay cover most everyday transactions once set up. Cash is rarely needed but useful at small vendors and as a fallback.
Is Apple Pay or Google Pay accepted?▾
Apple Pay works at some transit systems and chain stores via UnionPay, but coverage is very limited. Google Pay is not supported. Use Alipay instead.
Can I tip in China?▾
Tipping is not customary in China and is often refused. Some high-end international hotels may accept tips, but it's not expected anywhere.