How to Pay in China 2026: Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cash for Foreigners

China is the world’s most cashless society. Street vendors, taxis, museums, and even temple donation boxes accept QR code payments. Here’s how to pay as a foreigner.

The Short Answer

Set up Alipay before you fly. It’s the single most useful app for foreign travelers in China. WeChat Pay is a good backup. Carry a little cash for emergencies.

Setting Up Alipay (10 Minutes)

1. Download Alipay from your app store
2. Register with your foreign phone number and email
3. Verify your identity — passport photo + selfie (required for international cards)
4. Link your card — Visa, Mastercard, or JCB (international cards work since 2023)
5. You’re done — scan QR codes to pay, or show your payment QR code

Tips:

• Alipay has a Tour Pass feature — preload money from your foreign card for a fixed exchange rate
• The app has an English interface — switch it in settings
• Transaction limits apply to foreign cards (usually ~$500/day for unverified, higher after verification)

Setting Up WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay works similarly but is more finicky for foreigners:

1. Download WeChat, register with your phone number
2. Go to Me → Services → Wallet
3. Verify with your passport
4. Link your international card

Note: WeChat Pay’s foreign-card support is more limited than Alipay’s. If you can only set up one, choose Alipay.

When You Still Need Cash

• Small street vendors and night markets (some don’t take cards)
• Rural areas and small towns
• Tipping (not customary, but small change helps)
• Backup if your phone dies or card gets blocked

Getting cash: ATMs at Bank of China, ICBC, and other major banks accept Visa/Mastercard. Withdraw ¥500–¥1000 at a time. Some ATMs charge a fee — check your bank’s international policy.

Paying at Restaurants & Shops

• Scan to pay: The merchant shows a QR code; you scan it in Alipay/WeChat and enter the amount
• Show your code: You show your payment QR code; the merchant scans it
• Split bills: Just have each person pay separately — no awkward splitting needed
• Tipping: Not expected in China. Rounding up is fine.

City-by-City Notes

• Hangzhou — Alipay’s home base. Fully cashless; even the smallest tea stall takes QR codes.
• Shenzhen — Tech capital; QR payments everywhere, and a 30-minute train to Hong Kong (bring your passport for the border).
• Beijing & Shanghai — International cards work at most hotels and big malls, but street food and small shops are QR-only.
• Guilin & Zhangjiajie — Tourist areas accept Alipay/WeChat, but rural villages may only take cash. Carry more here.

Common Pitfalls

• ❌ Assuming your foreign card works everywhere — it doesn’t. QR payments are king.
• ❌ Not verifying your identity before arrival — do it at home with good Wi-Fi
• ❌ Forgetting your passport for hotel check-in and some ticket purchases
• ❌ Relying on one payment method — have Alipay + cash as backup

Quick Setup Checklist

• Download Alipay and register with your foreign number
• Verify identity with passport (do this before you fly)
• Link your Visa/Mastercard
• Download WeChat and set up WeChat Pay as backup
• Withdraw ¥500 cash at the airport ATM

Last updated: October 2026.