China Payment Guide 2026: How to Pay in China

You'll find several ways to pay in China, and mobile payments are widely used, from meals and shopping to getting around the city and sightseeing. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the two mobile payment apps you're most likely to use during your trip to China. To make your everyday spending much easier, we explain how payments work in China and what you should know before using mobile payment below.

What Are the Main Ways to Pay in China

During your trip to China, you will mainly come across mobile payments, bank cards, and cash. Mobile payment is the most practical option for everyday spending, while carrying a card and some cash as backups is still a good idea.

Mobile Payment: Best for Everyday Spending

Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for everyday purchases, including meals, convenience stores, attractions, taxis, and public transportation. Once set up, they can handle most of the small payments you make throughout the day, so you will not need to carry much cash.

During your China tour, it is worth setting up at least one of these apps before the trip, especially for frequent purchases.

Note: Alipay and WeChat Pay are generally most convenient for payments under RMB 200. For transactions above this amount, the apps may charge a 3% service fee.

Cards: Consider Them for Larger Purchases

International Visa and Mastercard cards (may also charge a 1% to 3% foreign transaction or currency conversion fee) are accepted at many hotels, shopping malls, and other major businesses in larger cities, although acceptance is less universal than you may be used to in Western countries.

For larger expenses, such as hotel bills or higher-value shopping, paying directly by card can sometimes be more cost-effective than using a mobile payment app, so keep at least one physical bank card available as a backup.

Cash: Keep Some as a Backup

Cash remains a valid payment method in China, but you are unlikely to need large amounts for most trips. A small amount of RMB can be useful for smaller businesses, for incidental expenses, or when you encounter problems with your phone, internet connection, or payment apps.

Around RMB 300 to 400 per person per day can serve as a reasonable cash reserve for small purchases and emergencies, depending on your travel style and comfort level.

Alipay vs. WeChat Pay: Which Is Easier for Your Trip

For a simpler travel setup, Alipay can be your primary payment method. It is also worth downloading and activating WeChat before your trip, especially for communicating with your guides, sharing locations, receiving updates, and having a backup payment option when a local merchant uses WeChat more extensively.

If you mainly need an app for payments and transportation, Alipay can feel more straightforward to use. Its English interface makes payment, transportation, tickets, and other commonly used travel services relatively easy to find. Its transportation features can also save you the extra step of buying individual tickets or a local transportation card. This can make it a practical choice for first-time visitors and senior travelers who are less familiar with Chinese apps.

WeChat can feel a little more complicated if you only want to make payments, as it combines payment with messaging and many other functions. However, it can be particularly useful at local restaurants that use WeChat mini-programs for menus or ordering. These menus may still be in Chinese even when your WeChat interface is set to English. If so, let your guide to help explain the menu, check ingredients or spiciness, and suggest dishes that match your preferences.

How to Use Alipay

When installing the Alipay app from the App Store:

Step 1: Register for Alipay

Sign up for your Alipay account with an email address or phone number (no matter whether it is a Chinese SIM card or not). If you want to sign up with a Chinese SIM card, remember not to use an eSIM, as it can not receive messages. Then, remember to choose the Alipay international version.

Step 2: Bind Your Cards to Alipay

Enter your card number and fill out all the information that is needed to fill out, then you will bind your card to Alipay to use it. Alipay can accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards in your account.

Instructions for Alipay

Step 3: Pay With Your Mobile Phone

Usually, there are two ways to pay with Alipay: show your payment code to the scanning machine, or scan the QR code of the shop to enter the price of your purchased item to pay.

It is recommended to make a small test payment by buying a drink or snack after binding. However, if you cannot bind your card to your Alipay account, or at some small restaurants and stores that cannot accept international transactions on Alipay, the TourCard service may help.

Use TourCard to Purchase Local Currency

The TourCard service is a mini-program of Alipay and is provided by the Bank of Shanghai. First, you should search for the TourCard program in Alipay and tap the button. Complete the verification field with your passport or ID number to verify. Then load your funds into your Tour Pass account. You can use it now!

The advantage of using a Tour Card in Alipay is that you can use it in more situations, such as at a shop that cannot accept credit cards. Because you have already bought Chinese Yuan on your Tour Card. However, it will charge a 5% service fee for each top-up.

TourCard in Alipay

How to Use WeChat Pay

After downloading and setting up the WeChat app (you may see its name appear as Weixin, which is the Chinese pronunciation) from the App Store:

Step 1: Sign up for a WeChat Account

Firstly, you need to sign up. There are two ways for you to register. You can sign up with your mobile phone number or via a Facebook account. You may need to provide some information about your passport.

If you choose to sign up with a phone number. Enter your mobile phone number and get a confirmation code via a messaging service. Then enter the confirmation code to verify your phone number and finish registration.

Step 2: Bind Your Visa or Master Card

Go to the "Me" section and tap "Services", tap on "Wallet", then choose "Bank Card". Enter your bank card number and finish the verification by following the instructions of WeChat. After binding your card, you can use WeChat Pay in most situations.

Mastercard, Visa, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards can all be bound to your WeChat account.

Instructions for WeChat Pay

Step 3: Pay With Payment Code or Scan QR Code

WeChat Pay works the same way as Alipay: show the payment code or scan the QR code. Due to different situations, you can choose the correct way to pay.

Practical Support for Your China Trip

Once everything is set up, paying in China is usually much simpler than it may seem at first. With a mobile payment app ready and a card and some cash kept as backups, you can handle most everyday expenses without carrying much cash or worrying about where to exchange money.

Still have questions about payment, transportation, or other practical details of traveling in China? Odynovo's travel specialists can help you prepare for your trip. Travel with us, and we'll help you get the practical details sorted before you arrive.