China Payment Cheatsheet 2026
Set this up before you land. Cash is increasingly refused in Chinese cities.
Last updated:
In 2026 China is nearly cashless — over 90% of point-of-sale payments are mobile QR. Foreign cards now work in the two main apps. Do this before you fly. Full detail in the Alipay for foreigners guide.
Set up Alipay (10 min, before you land)
- Download Alipay from your app store (international version is fine).
- Sign up with your phone number and verify your passport.
- Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard ( debit or credit).
- Tap a merchant QR or show your code — works for metro, taxis, shops, food.
Set up WeChat Pay (backup)
- Open WeChat → Me → Services → Wallet.
- Verify identity with your passport.
- Bind a foreign Visa/Mastercard under Cards & Bank.
- Pay via the WeChat scan or show-payment QR.
What works and what doesn't
| Method | Works in China? |
|---|---|
| Alipay + foreign Visa/Mastercard | Yes — set up first |
| WeChat Pay + foreign card | Yes — backup |
| Foreign Visa/Mastercard (physical, at till) | Rarely — large hotels/big stores only |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | No (except via bound Alipay/UnionPay) |
| Cash (CNY) | Legal tender — carry some for small/tour vendors |
| Amex / Discover / Diners | Usually no |
Bring some cash anyway
- Small street vendors, temples, and rural sites may be cash-only.
- Exchange at a Bank of China branch or airport ATM on arrival — avoid hotel rates.
- Carry CNY 500–1000 as backup for a typical week.
Key phrases
| English | Mandarin (pinyin) |
|---|---|
| Can I pay by Alipay/WeChat? | 可以用支付宝/微信吗？ (kěyǐ yòng zhīfùbǎo/Wēixìn ma?) |
| I'll pay in cash | 我付现金 (wǒ fù xiànjīn) |
| Do you take foreign cards? | 你们收外卡吗？ (nǐmen shōu wàikǎ ma?) |
| How much? | 多少钱？ (duōshao qián?) |
Verified June 2026. Foreign-card support and limits change — re-checked monthly. Report any change via our corrections log.