How to Pay in China as a Foreigner: Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cash

Our guides help guests set up mobile payment on the first day of almost every tour. These are the steps that work, and the problems we see most often.

Street vendors, metro tickets, museum bookings, even temple donation boxes — in China almost everything is paid by scanning a QR code. The good news: foreign visitors can now use the same apps as locals.

1. Alipay (recommended)

Download Alipay before you travel, register with your international phone number and link a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners or Discover card. You can then scan merchant QR codes or show your own payment code at the counter. The app also has a built-in translator, metro QR codes and taxi booking.

2. WeChat Pay

WeChat is China's all-in-one messaging app. Once you have an account, open Me → Services → Wallet and add a foreign card. WeChat is also how most Chinese people — including our guides — keep in touch, so it is worth installing.

3. Cash and bank cards

• Carry a small amount of Chinese yuan (RMB) for small shops and emergencies. ATMs at airports and major banks accept foreign cards.
• International credit cards are accepted at most upscale hotels, malls and large restaurants, but rarely at small businesses.
• Small transaction fees may apply when paying with a foreign card through the apps; check the current terms in each app.

Tips before you fly

• Set up and verify both apps at home — verification can take a day.
• Tell your bank you will be travelling to China to avoid blocked transactions.
• Make sure your phone has data on arrival: roaming or a travel eSIM bought before departure is simplest.

On our private tours, entrance tickets and included meals are prepaid, so you only need to pay for shopping and free-time extras.