Quick answer
Most first-time visitors should prepare both Alipay and WeChat Pay, keep at least one international card, and carry a small amount of RMB cash as backup.
China’s official payment guidance says overseas visitors have several payment options: mobile payments, bank cards, and cash. Alipay and WeChat Pay can support linked international cards, but app flows, card support, transaction limits, and merchant acceptance can vary.
See the Phone, Apps & SMS Verification guide for the full SIM/eSIM/connectivity decision that affects which payment features work.
Before you go
- Install Alipay and WeChat.
- Try linking a supported international card (Visa/Mastercard) before departure.
- Save your passport name exactly as it appears on the passport.
- Keep a backup card and small cash reserve (a few hundred RMB for immediate needs).
- Screenshot hotel addresses in English and Chinese.
Payment methods compared
Alipay
- Start by linking a supported international card directly in Alipay. This is the normal visitor setup described in current official payment guidance.
- Merchant payments are supported, but transfers, red packets, and some mini-program transactions may remain restricted.
- Card compatibility and merchant acceptance vary, so keep WeChat Pay and cash as backups.
WeChat Pay
- Supports linking international Visa/Mastercard cards (rolled out 2023-2024).
- Person-to-person (P2P) transfers to Chinese users may be restricted for foreign cards.
- Red envelopes and some mini-program features may be limited.
- Merchant acceptance is broad, but international-card support can still vary by transaction type.
Cash (RMB)
- Always carry some cash as backup.
- Useful for small stalls, rural areas, and places where digital payments fail.
- Withdraw RMB from ATMs at the airport (Bank of China ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards).
International credit cards
- Accepted at international hotels, high-end restaurants, and department stores.
- NOT accepted at most local restaurants, small shops, or for transport.
- Do not rely on cards alone.
Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Very limited acceptance in mainland China. Do not rely on them.
Common payment moments
- QR code at restaurants and cafes (scan merchant’s code or show your code).
- Taxi and ride-hailing (Didi supports international cards in major cities).
- Metro and local transit (single-journey tokens at machines; some cities accept foreign contactless cards).
- Convenience stores.
- Attraction bookings and deposits.
Accommodation booking note
Airbnb does NOT work for mainland China accommodation (ceased domestic operations in 2022). Use Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com (international version), or book directly with hotels.
SMS verification issues
Some services require a Chinese (+86) phone number for SMS verification. If you are using international roaming or a third-party eSIM (which do not provide a +86 number), you may encounter friction with:
- Some WeChat mini-programs
- Bike-sharing services
- Some attraction booking mini-programs
Workarounds: Ask your hotel concierge to book on your behalf; use Trip.com for English-language booking; or purchase a local Chinese SIM at the airport for reliable SMS access. See the Phone, Apps & SMS guide for the full connectivity decision.
Watchouts
Payment app flows can change. Recheck setup steps before publishing or updating this page.
Do not promise that every foreign card will work in every payment scene. The safe advice is to prepare multiple payment backups: Alipay, WeChat Pay, an international card, and cash.