Arrive China
China mostly doesn't do cards at the till. Payments run through QR codes on two apps — Alipay and WeChat Pay. Set them up before you fly and your money just works; land without them and buying a coffee gets awkward fast.
Why your cards don't just work
China skipped card terminals and went straight to QR codes. Street vendors, the metro, taxis, even most restaurants and shops scan a code on your phone. International Visa/Mastercard is accepted at upscale hotels and big malls, but it's not how daily life is paid for.
1. Alipay — set this up first
Alipay is the single most useful app you'll download. It's a payment app with a built-in translate button, ride-hailing and mini-programs, and it accepts foreign cards.
For the full click-by-click setup, see the step-by-step install guide →.
- Download Alipay and register with your phone number (your home country code is fine).
- Go to Account → Add card and bind your Visa or Mastercard.
- To pay, you either scan the merchant's QR, or show your code and let them scan you.
- Use the built-in Translate function to read menus and messages.
Do a small test payment at home if you can — a 1-yuan transfer to confirm the card binds before you're standing at a counter abroad.
2. WeChat Pay — the second one
WeChat is China's messaging app, and its payment arm is just as universal as Alipay. Some vendors only take one or the other, so having both covers you.
- Download WeChat and register with your phone number.
- Bind your foreign card under Wallet → Cards.
- It sometimes asks a friend to scan a QR to verify your identity — do this at home, not at the counter.
3. Cash — your backup, not your plan
Carry a little RMB. Street food stalls, tiny vendors and a few taxis are cash-only, and your card won't help there.
- Change the equivalent of US$100–200 before or on arrival.
- ATMs work with foreign cards at big banks, but you'll pay a fee.
- Don't go all-cash — most places genuinely prefer QR now.
4. When cards do work
Upscale hotels, international chains and large malls take Visa/Mastercard at the counter. Keep one in your wallet for those, but treat it as a fallback for large payments, not your daily driver.
| Method | Where it works | Setup | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay (foreign card) | Nearly everywhere | Bind card before | Small per-txn fee |
| WeChat Pay | Nearly everywhere | Bind card + verify | Small per-txn fee |
| Cash RMB | Street vendors, tips | Exchange / ATM | Exchange fee |
| Visa / Mastercard | Hotels, big malls | None | FX fee |
Before you fly
- Download Alipay, bind your card, and do a small test payment.
- Download WeChat, bind your card, and get verified.
- Tell your bank you're traveling so your card isn't frozen.
- Change a little RMB cash as a safety net.
The bottom line
Alipay with your card bound covers almost everything. Add WeChat Pay as backup, keep a little cash for street food, and your card as a fallback for hotels and malls. Set it all up at home and the checkout question is solved.