Payment Methods in China

💰 Alipay (支付宝)

Alipay is the dominant mobile payment platform in China, used by over 1 billion people. It's accepted virtually everywhere.

For Foreigners:

• International Version: Download Alipay (International) app, sign up with your foreign phone number
• Link Foreign Card: Visa, Mastercard, and JCB cards are accepted (American Express less commonly)
• Verification: You'll need passport verification for first-time use
• Tourist Mode: Use the "Tourist" feature for temporary use without a Chinese bank account

💬 WeChat Pay (微信支付)

WeChat Pay is integrated into WeChat, the super-app that Chinese people use for messaging, social media, and payments.

For Foreigners:

• International Version: WeChat supports foreign phone numbers for registration
• Link Card: Similar to Alipay, you can link international credit/debit cards
• Verification: Passport verification required
• Less Accepted: Some smaller merchants prefer Alipay

💵 Cash

While cash is becoming rare, it's still useful in some situations.

• ATMs: Most international cards (Visa, Mastercard) work at Bank of China, ICBC, and other major ATMs
• Currency Exchange: Available at airports, hotels, and major banks
• When to Use: Small rural vendors, some traditional markets, tips
• Warning: Many places simply won't accept cash