Payments · set this up before you fly
Payments that actually work
China runs on QR codes. Hotels and big stores take a Visa or Mastercard; small shops, restaurants, and taxis mostly don't. Linking your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay covers almost everything, and a little cash is still worth carrying as backup.
Your setup
Pick your card and phone to see the shortest path to a working payment method.
Payment setup
What to install, in order
Tell us what you carry and we’ll suggest the setup that works offline in China.
You are well set up: link your Visa card to the big two apps.
- 01
Alipay: Download Alipay, sign up with your phone number, and add your Visa card.
Works for most QR payments. Small transaction fees may apply after a threshold.
- 02
WeChat Pay: Add the same Visa card to WeChat Pay as a backup.
Some merchants only accept WeChat Pay.
- 03
TenPayGo: Open TenPayGo, register with an email address (no Chinese phone number needed), then link your Visa card.
Tencent app for visitors, launched September 2026. Pays over the WeChat Pay network; also accepts overseas wallets and Apple Pay.
- 04
Cash: Carry a small amount of RMB (¥200–500) as a fallback.
Cards are often rejected at small vendors; cash is accepted but change can be an issue.
- Apple Pay / Google Pay tap-to-pay is not the norm; QR codes are.
- Keep your physical card as an emergency backup, but do not expect it to work everywhere.
- Apple Pay itself is not widely accepted offline in China. Use the Alipay/WeChat Pay apps instead, your linked card does the paying.
Cards, apps, and cash
- Updated Oct 16, 2026Alipay in China for Foreigners: Step-by-Step Setup with a Visa or MastercardHow to set up Alipay in China with a foreign card before you fly, identity verification, fees, spending limits, and why a small test payment matters.
- Updated Oct 16, 2026Do Apple Pay and Google Pay Work in China? What Tourists Should KnowForeign Apple Pay and Google Pay generally do not work at Chinese payment terminals. Here is what works instead, and the few places physical cards are accepted.
- Updated Oct 16, 2026Do You Need Cash in China? (Yes, Here’s How Much)China is nearly cashless, but RMB cash is still worth carrying. How much to bring, what it’s actually for, and how ATMs and the law work for tourists.
- Updated Oct 16, 2026How to Pay in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay & TenPayGo for ForeignersVisa and Mastercard acceptance is limited in China. Here’s how to link your foreign card to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and TenPayGo so you can pay like a local.
- Updated Oct 16, 2026WeChat Pay in China for Foreigners (and Where TenPayGo Fits In)How to set up WeChat Pay with an international card, why you need WeChat even if you use Alipay, and what TenPayGo is for foreign travelers.