If you're planning your first trip to China, one of the most common questions is:
How do I pay for things in China?
China has one of the world's most widely used mobile-payment ecosystems. In restaurants, cafés, convenience stores, taxis, shopping malls and many other everyday situations, paying by scanning a QR code is extremely common.
For international travelers, the good news is that paying in China has become much easier.
Foreign visitors can use several payment methods, including:
Alipay
WeChat Pay / Weixin Pay
Supported international bank cards
RMB cash
Certain overseas e-wallets
For most international visitors, a practical setup is:
Mobile payment as your main method + an international bank card + some RMB cash as backup.
This guide explains how the main payment methods work and what you should prepare before arriving in China.
1. Is China Really a Cashless Country?
Not completely.
Mobile payment is extremely common in China, but cash remains a valid payment method.
The important difference is that many everyday transactions are designed around QR-code payments.
For example, you may encounter mobile payment when:
Ordering food
Buying coffee
Taking a taxi
Shopping in convenience stores
Paying at restaurants
Using public transportation
Buying attraction tickets
Shopping at local stores
This is why setting up at least one mobile payment app before your trip can make traveling much easier.
However, you should not rely on only one payment method.
A phone can lose power, a bank may decline a transaction, an app may require additional verification, or a particular merchant may handle payments differently.
The safest approach is to prepare more than one way to pay.
2. Using Alipay in China
Alipay is one of the most useful apps for international visitors traveling in China.
In addition to payments, Alipay may also provide access to other everyday travel services, depending on your location and current app features.
International travelers can register an account and, where supported, link eligible overseas bank cards.
Common supported international card networks may include:
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
JCB
Discover
Diners Club
UnionPay
Actual card compatibility depends on the issuing bank, card type and the payment platform's current rules.
How does Alipay payment work?
There are two common situations.
Option 1: You scan the merchant's QR code
Open Alipay → Scan → Scan the merchant's QR code → Enter the amount if required → Confirm payment.
Option 2: The merchant scans your payment code
Open your payment QR code in Alipay and let the merchant scan it.
Once you become familiar with the process, everyday payments are usually very quick.
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
JCB
Discover
Diners Club
UnionPay
3. Using WeChat Pay in China
WeChat is another extremely useful app in China.
For international visitors, it can serve two important purposes:
Communication + Payment
If you're traveling with a Chinese tour operator, guide, hotel, driver or local contact, WeChat is also frequently used for communication.
Eligible international bank cards can be linked to WeChat Pay / Weixin Pay according to the platform's current requirements.
Payment works in a similar way:
Scan the merchant's QR code
or
Show your payment code for the merchant to scan.
Having both Alipay and WeChat available can provide useful redundancy during your trip.
4. Can I Link My Visa or Mastercard?
In many cases, yes.
China's official guidance states that foreign users can link supported overseas-issued bank cards to mobile payment services.
Supported networks can include major international card brands such as Visa and Mastercard, as well as several other networks.
However, an important point is often overlooked:
Your issuing bank still needs to authorize the transaction or card binding.
That means a supported Visa or Mastercard does not guarantee that every card will work automatically.
A bank may decline a transaction because of:
Fraud-prevention settings
Overseas transaction restrictions
Security verification
Card-specific limitations
Issuer risk controls
Before traveling, consider telling your bank that you will be using your card in China and make sure international transactions are enabled.
It is also sensible to bring cards from more than one bank if possible.
5. Do I Need a Chinese Bank Account?
For ordinary short-term tourism, international visitors generally do not need to open a Chinese bank account simply to make everyday mobile payments.
Supported international cards can be linked directly to compatible payment platforms.
This makes short trips much easier because you do not have to open a local bank account just to pay for meals, transport or shopping.
However, available functions can vary according to:
Payment platform
Card issuer
Account verification
Transaction type
Merchant
Current regulations
Always follow the latest instructions displayed inside the payment app.
6. Are There Fees or Payment Limits?
Possibly.
Payment platforms may apply transaction limits, verification requirements or service charges when overseas bank cards are used.
These rules can change.
Your own bank may also charge:
Foreign transaction fees
Currency conversion fees
Other international card charges
For this reason, do not build your entire travel budget around a specific fee or limit you saw in an old online article.
Check the latest information inside Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip.
For large purchases, such as expensive hotel stays or major shopping transactions, it can also be useful to ask the merchant which payment methods are accepted.
7. Can I Use My Credit Card Directly in China?
Sometimes, but don't assume that every merchant will accept your international card directly.
International cards are more commonly accepted at places such as:
International hotels
Large shopping malls
Major airports
Some chain stores
Some higher-end restaurants
Major tourist-oriented businesses
Smaller restaurants, local shops and other independent merchants may be much more accustomed to QR-code payments.
So even if you bring a Visa or Mastercard, setting up mobile payment is still recommended.
8. Can Foreign Tourists Still Use Cash?
Yes.
RMB cash remains an important backup payment method.
Foreign visitors can obtain RMB through authorized currency exchange services, and compatible international bank cards may also be used to withdraw RMB from ATMs displaying the corresponding card-network logo.
For most travelers, carrying a large amount of cash is unnecessary.
But keeping a modest amount of RMB can be helpful for emergencies or situations where another payment method temporarily does not work.
For example, you might keep some cash for:
Small purchases
Unexpected payment problems
Phone or app issues
Remote destinations
Backup transportation expenses
9. Can I Withdraw RMB from an ATM?
Many international bank cards can be used at compatible ATMs in China.
Look for your card network's logo on the ATM.
Your bank may charge an overseas withdrawal fee, and the ATM or transaction network may have its own limits or conditions.
Before traveling, check:
Whether your card allows overseas ATM withdrawals
Your daily withdrawal limit
Your PIN
Foreign withdrawal fees
It is useful to know this option even if you expect to use mobile payment most of the time.
10. Some Overseas E-Wallets May Work in China
Depending on your country or region, you may already have an e-wallet that can be used at participating merchants in China.
China's official guidance lists a number of supported overseas wallets and payment apps.
Examples can include services from:
Hong Kong
Macao
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
The Philippines
Kazakhstan
Pakistan
Support can change over time, so check your own wallet provider before traveling.
For travelers from some Asian markets, this may mean you can use a familiar home payment app without setting up an entirely new payment method.
11. What If Alipay or WeChat Pay Doesn't Work?
Don't panic.
Payment problems can happen anywhere, especially when an overseas bank is involved.
Try the following:
1. Try another linked card
The problem may be with the issuing bank rather than the payment app.
2. Try your second payment app
If Alipay does not work, try WeChat Pay, or vice versa.
3. Use your physical international card
If the merchant accepts it, pay directly by card.
4. Use RMB cash
This is exactly why carrying some backup cash is useful.
5. Contact your bank
Your bank may have blocked the transaction as a security precaution.
The important lesson is simple:
Never travel with only one payment method.
12. Set Up Your Payments Before Flying to China
One of the best things you can do before your China trip is prepare your payment apps at home.
Before departure:
Download Alipay.
Download WeChat if you plan to use it.
Register using your supported mobile number.
Complete any required identity verification.
Add an eligible international bank card.
Make sure your bank allows overseas transactions.
Bring a second bank card if possible.
Prepare some RMB cash after arrival or through an appropriate exchange channel.
Keep your physical cards with you as backup.
Do not wait until you are standing at a restaurant counter in China to discover that your bank is blocking your card.
A few minutes of preparation before departure can make your first day in China much easier.
Recommended Payment Setup for International Travelers
For a typical international visitor, we recommend preparing:
Primary payment:
Alipay linked to an eligible international card.
Second option:
WeChat Pay / Weixin Pay linked to an eligible international card.
Backup:
Physical Visa, Mastercard or another supported international bank card.
Emergency backup:
A modest amount of RMB cash.
This gives you several alternatives if one method temporarily fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners use Alipay in China?
Yes. International visitors can register for Alipay and may link eligible overseas bank cards according to the platform's current requirements.
Can foreigners use WeChat Pay?
Yes. Eligible international visitors can use WeChat Pay / Weixin Pay and link supported overseas bank cards according to current platform requirements.
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
Not necessarily. China's official guidance states that foreign users can register supported payment apps using foreign or Chinese mobile phone numbers, subject to the platform's current requirements.
Do I need a Chinese bank account?
For normal short-term travel, usually not. Eligible overseas bank cards can be linked to supported mobile-payment platforms.
Can I use Visa and Mastercard in China?
Yes, but direct card acceptance varies by merchant. Linking an eligible card to a supported mobile-payment app can be more convenient for everyday purchases.
Should I bring cash to China?
Yes, but you usually do not need a large amount. Keeping some RMB as a backup is sensible.
Which is better for tourists: Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Both can be useful.
Rather than choosing only one, travelers who can successfully set up both may benefit from having one as a backup for the other.
Final Advice Before Your China Trip
Paying in China is much easier for international visitors than many first-time travelers expect.
You do not need to arrive with a wallet full of RMB, and you do not necessarily need a Chinese bank account.
The most important thing is preparation.
Before your flight:
Set up mobile payment.
Check your international bank cards.
Bring a backup card.
Keep some RMB cash available.
Once those basics are ready, paying for food, transportation, shopping and everyday travel expenses in China can be straightforward.
Travel China with Confidence
Payment is only one part of preparing for a trip to China.
International visitors may also need to think about mobile internet, essential apps, high-speed trains, attraction reservations, hotels and how to connect multiple destinations efficiently.
SEEK CHINA TRAVEL (SCT) helps international travelers plan customized journeys across China, including private and small-group travel, local guides, transportation, accommodation and multi-destination itinerary planning.
Whether you're visiting Beijing and Xi'an for history, Chengdu and Chongqing for food and city life, or Zhangjiajie and Guilin for extraordinary landscapes, good preparation can make your journey much easier.