How to pay in China as a foreigner: Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, and cash

In Chinese cities almost everything, from noodle stalls to metro tickets, is paid by scanning a QR code with your phone. International hotels and big malls take Visa and Mastercard, but many small places don’t. Set up a payment app at home, before you fly.

The short version

1. Install Alipay (and optionally WeChat) before you leave.
2. Verify your identity with your passport. This can take from a few minutes to about three days, so don’t leave it to the airport.
3. Link a Visa, Mastercard, or other international card.
4. Carry some cash, a few hundred yuan, as a backup.

Alipay

Alipay is the easiest app for visitors: it has an English interface and accepts most international cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club).

Setting it up:

1. Download Alipay and sign up with your own phone number. A foreign number works.
2. Complete real-name verification with your passport photo and a face scan.
3. Add your bank card under Bank Cards.
4. Make a small test payment once you arrive, before you depend on it.

Fees: a payment of ¥200 or less has no Alipay service fee. For a payment over ¥200, Alipay charges 3% of the whole amount, not just the part above ¥200. A ¥180 dinner costs ¥180; a ¥300 dinner costs ¥309. The app shows the fee before you confirm. Your own bank may add its foreign transaction fee on top. A card without foreign transaction fees saves money here.

WeChat Pay

WeChat is China’s messaging app. Its wallet works the same way, with the same rule: free up to ¥200, then 3%. It’s useful as a second option and for messaging hotels, guides, and new friends, since WhatsApp is blocked. Some foreign cards are declined on WeChat but work on Alipay, which is one more reason to set up both.

How to pay in a shop

• They scan you: open the app, tap Pay, and show your QR code. This is the most common way in shops and supermarkets.
• You scan them: tap Scan and point it at the merchant’s printed QR code, type the amount, and confirm. This is typical at small stalls.

Cards and cash

• Cards: fine at international hotels, airports, big chain stores, and many tourist sights. Don’t count on them in small restaurants or taxis.
• Cash: still legal tender and accepted, but small vendors may not have change for a ¥100 note. Keep some ¥10 and ¥20 notes. Bank of China and ICBC ATMs usually accept foreign cards.

Spending limits

Foreign cards linked to these apps have spending limits, roughly US$5,000 per transaction. Sources differ on the yearly cap. For hotels and other big bills, pay by card directly or book in advance with your card.

Book the big things online

To avoid the 3% fee on large payments, book hotels and tickets in advance with your normal card:

• Hotels: Trip.com, Agoda, or Booking.com
• Train tickets: see our high-speed train guide
• Attractions and tours: Klook or GetYourGuide

You’ll also need mobile data to use these apps. An eSIM bought before you leave is the simplest option.