The two apps that matter
Alipay and WeChat Pay are the default payment methods in China. Both allow foreign passports and international cards in many cases, but verification and card support change. Set up both before you arrive if possible, and test a small payment. Do not rely on a single app.
Cash and cards still have a role
Cash is legal tender and useful for small vendors, markets and emergencies, but many businesses prefer mobile payment. Foreign credit cards work at international hotels, some restaurants and large stores, but not everywhere. Carry a few hundred RMB and a backup card.
Limits, fees and troubleshooting
International card payments may have transaction limits or be declined by your bank for fraud protection. Tell your bank you are travelling. If a payment fails, check the card’s foreign transactions setting, try a smaller amount, or switch to cash. Keep receipts for refunds.
Reality check
A payment app that works in one store can fail in another; the backup matters more than the primary.
Local tip: Test a small purchase before you rely on mobile payment for a taxi or hotel.
Step by step
- Download Alipay and WeChat.
- Register with your passport and phone number.
- Add an international card and complete verification.
- Test a small payment at a convenience store.
- Carry cash and a backup card.
- Save the app’s English customer-service link.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Alipay/WeChat setup | Free |
| International card fee | Your bank’s foreign transaction fee |
| Cash withdrawal | ATM/bank fees may apply |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport
- Phone number for SMS
- International credit/debit card
- Bank’s travel notice
Common mistakes
- Assuming one app works for everything.
- Not telling your bank you are in China.
- Carrying no cash at all.
- Sharing your payment QR code or password with strangers.
If things go wrong
- If a payment fails, switch to cash or the other app; do not retry ten times.
- If your account is frozen, use the in-app support and your passport for verification.
FAQ
Can I use a foreign credit card?
Many Visa/Mastercard cards can be linked to Alipay/WeChat, but support varies by card and country. Test before relying on it.
Is cash still accepted?
Yes, but some vendors may not have change. Keep small notes.
What if my payment is declined?
Check your bank’s travel/fraud settings, try a smaller amount, or pay cash. Do not repeatedly retry and lock the card.
Money in China: the field guide
China is a mobile-payment economy with a cash safety net. The goal is not to find the one perfect app; it is to have two working payment paths and a small cash reserve.
Build a payment stack
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay as primary, the other as backup, a physical bank card as third, and a few hundred RMB as fourth. Test each before you depend on it. A card that works in a hotel may fail at a noodle shop; that is normal, not a crisis.
Understand the fees
Foreign cards can carry a 1–3% foreign-transaction fee, and ATMs add their own charges. When a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in RMB; the conversion is usually worse. Keep receipts for refunds and tax claims.
Fraud and mistakes
Never share a payment QR code, SMS code or password. Do not let a stranger “help” you pay and then keep your phone. If a payment fails, stop after two attempts and switch method; repeated retries can lock the card. If you are overcharged, ask for the bill and dispute through the app or your bank.
Quick checks
- Two payment apps tested
- One physical card plus cash
- Bank told about travel dates
- No shared QR codes or SMS codes
- Receipts kept for refunds
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport
- Phone number for SMS
- International credit/debit card
- Bank’s travel notice
- Download Alipay and WeChat.
- Register with your passport and phone number.
- Add an international card and complete verification.
- Test a small payment at a convenience store.
- Carry cash and a backup card.
- Save the app’s English customer-service link.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.