Prepare more than one way to pay before travelling. Alipay and WeChat Pay support linking eligible international cards, including Visa and Mastercard. Physical cards and RMB cash are also options. Acceptance depends on the merchant, card and service; successful setup does not guarantee every payment will work. The official visitor payment guide explains the available methods.
Before departure: prepare and test your setup
- Install your chosen payment app from its official app-store listing. Leave time for registration and any identity verification it requests.
- Have your passport and payment card available. Follow the current prompts for supported phone numbers, identity documents and card networks; menu names can change.
- Keep access to the phone number your bank uses for verification. Decide how you will receive messages abroad before switching travel SIMs.
- Check your bank’s overseas payment settings, foreign-transaction charges and support contact. Save a way to reach it if the first payment is declined.
- Pack a second payment method separately. Do not make your first test an urgent taxi ride or the last train of the day.
Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Start with the app you can successfully register and verify before departure. Keeping both available may help if one fails, but two apps linked to the same blocked card are not independent backups. Keep the physical card and a modest cash reserve too.
Check the total before approving a payment
Review the amount, currency and any service fee shown in the app. Your issuing bank may charge separately. Do not assume that a promotion, small-payment exemption or limit reported in an old travel post still applies to your account.
For a large hotel or ticket payment, ask about accepted payment methods in advance. Compare the total cost of the options available to you. If you need a refund, keep the receipt and transaction reference and ask how the money will be returned.
Cash and ATMs
For an ATM withdrawal, look for your card network’s logo. The official guide also identifies authorised exchange outlets as an option. Your card issuer and the ATM determine the applicable fees and limits.
Choose a backup amount based on your next transfer, meals and access to another ATM. A city weekend and a rural multi-day journey need different reserves. Smaller notes are easier to use for modest purchases; keep cash separate from your main wallet. Cash cannot complete every online booking, so prepare essential transport and accommodation before relying on it as your only fallback.
What to do if a payment fails
| What happened | A useful next step |
|---|---|
| The card cannot be added | Check the app’s current supported-card guidance and the issuer’s restrictions; try your other payment method. |
| The app asks for verification | Complete the request through the official app, with enough time and a reliable connection. |
| A merchant’s QR code will not work | Ask which payment method the merchant accepts; do not assume every QR code supports your linked card. |
| The bank declines a payment | Check the bank’s notification or contact support before retrying repeatedly. |
| Your phone is offline or out of power | Use the backup agreed with the merchant and restore connectivity or power before your next booking. |
Match your payment backup to your route
Use the destination directory to choose your stops. City guides for Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu help you plan a compact base; the Guizhou guide helps you think through a wider regional trip. Check payment and booking arrangements with individual providers before a remote transfer.
Already have a route in mind? Explore public itineraries or create a draft plan. If you are travelling under a transit exemption, also check the visa-free transit guide.
Common questions
Do I need a Chinese bank account?
Eligible international cards can be linked to the supported payment apps. Account verification and individual services have their own requirements; check the current instructions in your chosen app.
Can I rely on my physical Visa or Mastercard?
Ask the merchant and look for the corresponding card-network logo. Keep another method available instead of assuming a terminal accepts every foreign card.
How much cash should I bring?
Budget enough for an interruption to your planned payment method, based on your route and access to an ATM. There is no single amount suitable for every traveller.
Are mobile payments free?
Check the fee displayed before confirming, plus your own bank’s charges. This guide does not promise a fixed fee or a promotion for every account.
Reviewed 20 October 2026. App requirements, fees and acceptance can change; confirm in the payment app, with your bank and with the merchant.