How to Pay in China 2025

Complete payment guide for foreign visitors: Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, and bank cards

Updated: October 2025 | Based on official government policies and real traveler experiences

2025 Official Policy Updates (Chinese Government)

  • •Transaction Limits Increased: Single payment raised from $1,000 → $5,000 USD
  • •Annual Limit: Cumulative transactions raised from $10,000 → $50,000 USD
  • •No ID Required: For small transactions under certain thresholds
  • •Language Support: Alipay now supports 16 languages (previously 2)
  • •Bank Card Requirement: All 3+ star hotels and 4A/5A attractions must accept foreign cards

Source: People's Bank of China (PBOC), April 2024

China's Cashless Society: What You Need to Know

80%
of transactions are mobile
QR Code
payment everywhere
Rare
cash usage in cities

Reality Check: From street food vendors to luxury malls, even elderly people use mobile payments. Many small shops don't carry change. Some chain restaurants (like Luckin Coffee) only accept orders through mobile apps - no counter service.

Payment Methods: Which One to Use?

Alipay

Recommended for Tourists

✓Easy Setup: International phone numbers accepted
✓Wide Support: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners, Discover
✓16 Languages: Full English interface
✓Universal: Accepted everywhere (metro, taxis, shops)
✓Tour Pass: Alternative option if card linking fails
Best For: First-time visitors, short trips, daily transactions

WeChat Pay

Most Popular in China

✓All-in-One: Chat + payment + mini-programs
✓Universal: Accepted by almost all merchants
✓Essential Features: QR menus, mini-apps, social
▲Harder Setup: May need friend verification
▲Limited Cards: Some foreign cards not supported
Best For: Long stays, accessing restaurant menus, local integration

Cash (CNY)

Still accepted but inconvenient

  • ✓ Backup option
  • ✓ Rural areas
  • ✗ Many shops lack change
  • ✗ Some places refuse cash

International Cards

Limited acceptance

  • ✓ High-end hotels
  • ✓ Luxury malls
  • ✗ Most restaurants
  • ✗ Street vendors

UnionPay

Chinese bank card network

  • ✓ ATM withdrawals
  • ✓ Department stores
  • ∼ Less convenient than mobile

How to Set Up Alipay (Step-by-Step)

1

Download Alipay App

Download the official Alipay app from your app store. Look for the blue icon by Ant Group.

📱 iOS (iPhone)

Search: "Alipay - Simplify Your Life"

🤖 Android

Search: "Alipay" by Ant Group Co.,Ltd.

2

Create Account (No Chinese Number Needed!)

Sign up with your international phone number or email. Choose "Alipay International Version" during signup.

Registration Options:

  • •Phone Number: Use your home country number (e.g., +1, +44, +65)
  • •Email: Any valid email address
  • •Verification: SMS code or email confirmation

Important: If using Chinese SIM card, avoid eSIM - it cannot receive SMS messages.

3

Link Your International Card

Navigate to: Me → Bank Cards → Add Bank Card

✅ Supported Cards:

💳 Visa
💳 Mastercard
💳 JCB
💳 Diners Club
💳 Discover
💳 American Express*

*Limited support for Amex

What You'll Need:

  • ✓ Card number (16 digits)
  • ✓ Expiry date (MM/YY)
  • ✓ CVV code (3 digits on back)
  • ✓ Cardholder name (as on card)
  • ✓ Billing address
4

Complete Identity Verification

Upload passport photo and complete face verification for higher transaction limits.

Required Documents:

  • 📷Passport Photo: Clear photo of bio-data page
  • 🤳Selfie: Face verification (follow on-screen instructions)

✓ With Verification:

$5,000 per transaction
$50,000 annual limit

▲ Without Verification:

Lower limits
May not work everywhere

⏱️ Processing time: 1-2 business days

💡

Plan B: Use TourCard (If Card Linking Fails)

TourCard is a mini-program inside Alipay that lets you pre-load Chinese Yuan. Useful for small shops that don't accept international card transactions.

How It Works:

  1. Search "TourCard" in Alipay search bar
  2. Verify with passport number
  3. Top up CNY with your international card
  4. Use like a pre-paid card

✓ Advantages:

  • • Works everywhere
  • • No transaction limits
  • • Accepts all major cards

✗ Disadvantages:

  • • 5% service fee per top-up
  • • Need to pre-load money
  • • Refund process can be slow
🎉

You're Ready! How to Pay

Method 1: Show Your Code

  1. Open Alipay
  2. Tap "Scan" on home screen
  3. Show QR code to merchant
  4. They scan → Payment done ✓

Method 2: Scan Merchant Code

  1. Find merchant's QR code
  2. Open Alipay → "Scan"
  3. Enter payment amount
  4. Confirm → Done ✓

How to Set Up WeChat Pay (Backup Option)

Note: WeChat Pay setup is more complicated for foreigners. Many travelers report success with Alipay but struggle with WeChat Pay verification. Use this as a secondary option.

Step 1: Download WeChat (Weixin)

Download WeChat from App Store or Google Play. It's both a messaging app and payment platform (like WhatsApp + PayPal combined).

Step 2: Sign Up

Options: Phone number or Facebook account. Some users report needing a friend in China to verify account.

Pro Tip: If verification fails, ask your hotel staff or tour guide to help verify your account when you arrive.

Step 3: Add Card

Navigate: Me → Services → Wallet → Cards → Add Card

Supported: Mastercard, Visa, Amex, JCB, Diners Club, Discover (but acceptance varies)

Step 4: Use for Payments & QR Menus

Even if you can't link a card, WeChat is essential for accessing restaurant QR code menus and ordering in chain stores like Luckin Coffee.

Cash & Backup Payment Methods

Cash (CNY) - Emergency Backup

✓Still Accepted: Hotels, taxis, small rural shops
✗Problems: Many shops don't have change
✗Refusal: Some modern chains refuse cash entirely

Recommendation: Bring ¥2,000-3,000 (~$280-420 USD)

Get small bills: ¥10, ¥20, ¥50 notes preferred

Where to Exchange:

  • • Airport currency exchange
  • • Bank of China branches (need passport)
  • • International hotels
  • • ATMs (withdraw with foreign card)

International Cards - Limited Use

✓Accepted: International chain hotels
✓Luxury Venues: High-end malls, airport shops
✗Rarely Work: Restaurants, local shops, transport

Government Policy (2025):

All 3★+ hotels and 4A/5A tourist attractions MUST accept Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay

Warning: Even when logos are displayed, terminals sometimes reject foreign cards. Always have backup payment ready.

Other Payment Options

UnionPay Cards

China's domestic card network. Works in department stores, ATMs. Less convenient than mobile payments.

International E-Wallets

Some support: TrueMoney, Changi Pay, GrabPay. Limited merchant acceptance.

ATM Withdrawals

Widely available. Look for Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay logos. Expect $3-5 fees per transaction.

Common Payment Scenarios

🍜 Restaurants & Cafés

How it works: QR code on table or at cashier. Scan with Alipay/WeChat to pay.

Tip: Some chain restaurants (Luckin, Heytea) only accept app orders - no counter service. Ask staff to help with first order.

🚇 Metro, Bus, Taxi

Payment: Alipay/WeChat QR codes at metro gates. Taxis: show QR code or use Didi app.

Important: Many taxis are 100% cashless. Always have internet/data for QR payments.

🛍️ Shopping & Supermarkets

Process: Cashier shows QR code → You scan and pay → Show confirmation screen.

Note: Vendors prefer mobile payment over cash. Many small shops genuinely have no change.

🎫 Attractions & Entertainment

2025 Policy: 4A/5A attractions must accept foreign bank cards at ticket counters.

Best Practice: Book online through platforms like Trip.com or Ctrip for easier payment with international cards.

Troubleshooting Payment Issues

Common Problems & Solutions

❌ "Card linking failed"

Solutions:

  • • Try different card (Visa/Mastercard both)
  • • Contact bank to enable international transactions
  • • Use TourCard alternative (5% fee)
  • • Try WeChat Pay instead

❌ "Transaction declined"

Solutions:

  • • Check internet connection (need data/WiFi)
  • • Verify card has sufficient balance
  • • Try smaller amount (test with ¥10 first)
  • • Some merchants only accept certain cards

❌ QR code won't scan

Solutions:

  • • Clean camera lens
  • • Improve lighting (move to brighter area)
  • • Hold phone steady, 15-20cm from code
  • • Restart app if persistent

❌ Merchant refuses cash

Solutions:

  • • Legally they must accept RMB (official currency)
  • • Politely insist or call manager
  • • As last resort, find nearby ATM to get mobile payment working
  • • Report to local authorities if persistent refusal

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • •Don't rely 100% on international cards - they fail more often than not
  • •Don't bring only large bills (¥100) - smaller shops have no change
  • •Don't expect taxis to accept cash - many are completely cashless
  • •Don't forget internet - mobile payments need data/WiFi connection
  • •Don't put all money in one app - keep backup cash and secondary payment method
  • •Don't wait until arrival - set up Alipay BEFORE flying to China

💡 Expert Tips for Smooth Payments

Before You Go:

  • ✓ Download & setup Alipay 1-2 weeks before trip
  • ✓ Notify bank of China travel dates
  • ✓ Enable international transactions on credit cards
  • ✓ Get eSIM or China data plan (for internet)
  • ✓ Exchange $300-400 USD to CNY cash

When in China:

  • ✓ Test payment at airport (buy water/snack)
  • ✓ Keep backup: Alipay + cash + credit card
  • ✓ Screenshot QR codes when offline
  • ✓ Ask hotel staff if payment issues occur
  • ✓ Use Trip.com/Ctrip for attraction tickets

📥 Download Complete Payment Guide (PDF)

Get our comprehensive PDF guide with offline access - perfect for when you're in China without internet!

Includes:

  • ✓ Step-by-step setup screenshots
  • ✓ Chinese phrases for payment situations
  • ✓ Emergency contact numbers
  • ✓ Transaction limits & fees breakdown

Free • No email required • 2.5 MB PDF

Sources: People's Bank of China (PBOC) April 2024 Guidelines | Real traveler experiences from Reddit r/travelchina community | Trip.com official payment policies | Updated October 2025