My Trip0

Paying for things in China

Most shops, taxis and even street stalls expect a phone payment. You can use your own Visa or Mastercard through Alipay or WeChat Pay — set it up before you fly.

Draft: Fees, limits and steps below have not been checked yet — do not rely on them.
Draft · researched Nov 15, 2026 · not yet verified Will be rechecked monthly once verified Change log Report an error

The short answer

  1. Install Alipay (and ideally WeChat) at home, and add your Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
  2. Payments up to ¥200 have no fee; above that, expect about 3%.
  3. Carry ¥500–1,000 in cash as a backup. Shops are required to accept cash.
  4. Bring two cards from different networks in case one is declined.

01Set up before you fly

  1. Download AlipayUse the official app from the App Store or Google Play. Sign up with your home phone number.
  2. Add a bank cardVisa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club are supported. Your bank may text you to approve it.
  3. Verify your identityYou'll be asked for your passport photo page, usually once your spending passes a set amount.
  4. Make a test paymentSend a small amount to a friend or buy something in an app to make sure your bank doesn't block it.
  5. Optional: WeChat PaySome small vendors only accept WeChat. Setup is similar, inside the WeChat app under “Me → Services”.
Tell your bank you're traveling. Many declines are your own bank's fraud check, not a problem in China.

02Paying in a shop

There are two ways, and the cashier will point to one:

You scan their code

Small shops and stalls show a printed QR code. Tap “Scan”, type the amount, and show the cashier the success screen.

They scan your code

Supermarkets and chains scan the code in your app. Tap “Pay” to show it.

Useful phrases

可以用支付宝吗？Can I pay with Alipay? (kěyǐ yòng zhīfùbǎo ma?) 我扫你I'll scan your code. (wǒ sǎo nǐ) 可以付现金吗？Can I pay cash? (kěyǐ fù xiànjīn ma?)

03Fees and limits

Foreign cards linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Your bank may add its own foreign-transaction fee.
ItemAlipayWeChat Pay
Fee per paymentNone up to ¥200; about 3% aboveNone up to ¥200; about 3% above
Largest single paymentAbout $5,000About $5,000
Yearly totalAbout $50,000About $50,000
Passport checkRequired above a set amountRequired above a set amount

Not yet checked against the providers' own help pages.

04Cash and ATMs

  • Businesses in mainland China are not allowed to refuse cash, though small vendors may not have change for a ¥100 note.
  • Bank of China, ICBC and China Construction Bank ATMs usually accept foreign cards. Look for the Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay logo.
  • Airport exchange counters have the worst rates; withdrawing from an ATM is usually cheaper.

05Using cards directly

International hotels, airlines, large malls and some chain restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard at the counter. Outside big cities, assume they don't.

06When a payment fails

  • Try the other app (Alipay ↔ WeChat Pay), or the other card.
  • Check your banking app for a fraud alert and approve it.
  • Split a large bill into two payments under the fee threshold only if the vendor agrees.
  • Pay cash.

07Sources

  1. Alipay — help center for international users. (Link to be added after checking.)
  2. WeChat Pay — foreign card help page. (Link to be added after checking.)
  3. People's Bank of China — notice on refusing cash payments. (Link to be added after checking.)

Change log

  • Draft published. Not yet checked against official pages.

This is general information, not financial advice. Fees and limits are set by the payment providers and your bank and can change.