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Figuring out payments is probably your biggest worry when traveling. China has gone almost entirely cashless in the past decade. While the way people pay in China might be different from what you're used to back home, don't worry - with a bit of preparation, you'll have no trouble getting around.
In this page, you'll find everything you need to know about how to pay in China.
Overview
The three main payment methods — Cash, Card, and Digital Wallet — have varying levels of acceptance and reliability in China. Here's a quick overview:
Digital Wallet
Cash Payment
Card/Apple Pay
Acceptance
How widely is it accepted?
Nearly every vendor, from street stalls to public transport, accepts mobile payments (Alipay & WeChat Pay)
Commonly accepted at shops, but rarely works for machines and self-service checkouts, which usually only take digital payments
Only accepted at high-end hotels, restaurants, and select locations with POS machines
Reliability
How trouble-free it is to use?
Works smoothly once set up properly - check setup guide for tips
Expect some hassle with change - most vendors rarely handle cash nowadays
Sometimes problematic —foreign cards could face issues like declined transactions and security checks
Acceptance
How widely is it accepted?
Digital Wallet
Nearly every vendor, from street stalls to public transport, accepts mobile payments (Alipay & WeChat Pay)
Cash Payment
Commonly accepted at shops, but rarely works for machines and self-service checkouts, which usually only take digital payments
Card/Apple Pay
Only accepted at high-end hotels, restaurants, and select locations with POS machines
Reliability
How trouble-free it is to use?
Digital Wallet
Works smoothly once set up properly - check setup guide for tips
Cash Payment
Expect some hassle with change - most vendors rarely handle cash nowadays
Card/Apple Pay
Sometimes problematic — foreign cards could face issues like declined transactions and security checks. Apple Pay is normally not accepted.
Our General
Recommendation
Set up both Alipay and WeChat Pay for seamless payments across China.
Carry a small amount of cash (200-1000 RMB) for emergencies, but expect to rely on digital wallets for most transactions.
Cards should be used as a backup, primarily for international travel or high-end venues.