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Payment Guide to China

Immigration Guide Article2026/05/07
I. Prepare a Bank Card


Before coming to China, it is recommended to confirm in advance whether your international bank card can be used in China.


Most merchants, ATMs, and online platforms in China support the following international card organizations:


  • Visa


  • Mastercard


  • JCB


  • American Express


  • Discover


It is recommended to prepare:


1. A credit or debit card that supports overseas payments;


2. Activate international payment and SMS verification functions;


3. Ensure sufficient funds on the bank card;


4. Record the bank’s customer service phone number to handle any unusual transactions.


After arriving in China, you can use your international bank card to withdraw cash or make purchases at airports, bank ATMs, hotels, and large shopping malls.


Some small merchants may not accept foreign cards, so it is advisable to also prepare mobile payment options.


II. Prepare Cash


Although mobile payment is widely used in China, cash remains legally acceptable.


It is recommended to carry an appropriate amount of RMB cash for:


  • Taxis


  • Small shops


  • Night markets


  • Remote areas


  • Temporary internet connection issues


Generally, it is suggested to prepare:


  • Small denomination banknotes (10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan)


  • A small amount of coins


Ways to exchange for RMB include:


  • Exchanging at a domestic bank before departure


  • Exchange counters at Chinese airports


  • Branches of the Bank of China


  • Withdrawing cash from ATMs


According to Chinese law, merchants cannot refuse RMB cash, but some may have difficulty providing change, making small denominations more practical.


III. Link and Scan-to-Pay with Cards


Currently, the most common payment method in China is QR code scanning, primarily using:


  • Alipay



  • WeChat



Foreign users can now directly link their international bank cards.


Alipay linking steps


1. Download and register Alipay;


2. Go to the “Bank Cards” page;


3. Add an international credit or debit card;


4. Complete identity verification;


5. Scan the merchant’s QR code to make payment.


WeChat Pay linking steps


1. Download WeChat;


2. Enter “Services” or “Wallet”;


3. Add a bank card;


4. Complete passport-based real-name authentication;


5. Enable the payment function.


After linking, it can be used for:


  • Restaurants


  • Shopping malls


  • Subways


  • Taxi rides


  • Food delivery


  • Ticket purchases at tourist attractions


It is recommended to activate mobile international roaming or obtain a Chinese SIM card in advance to receive verification codes.


IV. Online Payments


In China, many services require online payment, including:


  • High-speed rail tickets


  • Hotel reservations


  • Food delivery


  • Ride-hailing services


  • Attraction admission tickets


  • E-commerce shopping


Commonly used platforms include:


  • Trip.com



  • 12306



  • Meituan



  • Didi



Some platforms support direct payment with international bank cards, while others require transactions through Alipay or WeChat Pay.


It is recommended to complete in advance:


  • Mobile number registration


  • Passport-based real-name authentication


  • Bank card binding