How to Pay in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cash Guide for Foreigners

If you're visiting China for the first time, you may be wondering:

How do foreigners pay for things in China?

China is highly mobile-payment friendly, and QR codes are everywhere—from restaurants and convenience stores to taxis, hotels and shopping malls.

The good news is that foreign travelers now have several ways to pay in China. You can use Alipay, Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay), international bank cards, RMB cash, and in some situations other payment options.

For most short-term visitors, setting up Alipay or Weixin Pay before or shortly after arrival can make everyday payments much easier. Foreign users can register with an overseas phone number and link supported international bank cards.

Quick answer:
For most foreign travelers, a practical setup is Alipay or Weixin Pay + an international bank card + some RMB cash as backup.

Quick Guide: Payment Methods in China

You don't need to use every method.

For a typical trip, having one working mobile payment app plus a backup payment method is usually enough.

1. Can Foreigners Use Alipay in China?

Yes.

Alipay can be used by international visitors in China, and eligible foreign-issued bank cards can be linked to the app. Current official guidance lists supported international card networks including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and Discover; American Express support is also available for eligible cards.

A typical setup looks like this:

Download Alipay → Create an account → Complete any required verification → Add your international card → Start paying

How do you pay with Alipay?

There are two common methods.

Scan

The merchant shows you a QR code. Open Alipay, select Scan, scan the code, enter the amount if required, and confirm payment.

Pay

Open your payment code and let the merchant scan it.

Once you've used both a couple of times, the process is pretty straightforward.

Do you need a Chinese phone number for Alipay?

Not necessarily.

Official guidance says foreign visitors can register mobile payment services using a foreign or Chinese mobile phone number.

That means many tourists can get Alipay ready without first buying a Chinese SIM card.

However, having reliable mobile data is important because you'll be using your phone constantly for payments.

If you haven't sorted that out yet, see our Internet & SIM Cards in China Guide for Foreign Travelers.

2. Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay in China?

Yes.

Weixin Pay—commonly known internationally as WeChat Pay—also allows foreign visitors to link supported international bank cards and make mobile payments in China.

The basic process is similar:

Download WeChat → Register → Set up Weixin Pay → Add an eligible bank card → Pay by QR code

You can either scan the merchant's QR code or show your own payment code for the merchant to scan.

Alipay or WeChat Pay: Which Is Better for Tourists?

You don't necessarily need both.

For a first-time visitor, Alipay can be a convenient place to start, particularly because the app also provides access to other travel-related services.

WeChat, however, is much more than a payment app. It is widely used in China for messaging, mini programs, services and communication.

If you're staying for more than a few days, having both available can be useful.

But don't turn payment setup into homework.

One working payment app plus a backup card or cash is already a perfectly reasonable setup.

3. Can You Link a Foreign Credit Card to Alipay or WeChat Pay?

Yes, supported international bank cards can be linked to Chinese mobile payment services.

Current official guidance lists major international card networks supported across payment products, including:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• JCB
• Diners Club
• Discover

The exact supported card brands can vary between payment products, and your card issuer also needs to approve the connection.

This last point matters.

Sometimes a card that should theoretically work still fails to link because the issuing bank blocks or rejects the request.

If that happens:

• Check that your card supports overseas transactions
• Check your bank's security notifications
• Contact your card issuer
• Try another supported card if you have one
• Keep another payment method available

Gochinio Tip: Set up your payment apps before you really need them. Discovering that your bank wants an extra verification step while you're standing at a restaurant counter isn't much fun.

4. Are There Fees for Using Foreign Cards?

There can be.

Fees, transaction limits and charging rules can vary by payment product and can change over time.

Current Chinese government guidance specifically recommends checking the payment product's own prompts and service agreement for the latest card brands, limits and charging standards.

So rather than relying on an old fee table from a travel blog, check the amount shown in the app before confirming a payment.

Your own bank may also charge foreign transaction or currency-conversion fees.

5. Can You Just Use Your Visa or Mastercard Directly?

Sometimes.

International bank cards are accepted at many hotels, larger shopping centers, airports and other businesses, particularly where the corresponding Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB or other card-network logo is displayed.

But direct card acceptance is not as universal as mobile QR payments.

A small restaurant, local shop or other business may be set up primarily for mobile payments and cash.

So I wouldn't recommend arriving in China with only a foreign credit card and assuming it will work everywhere.

A better combination is:

Mobile payment + international card + some RMB cash

Official Chinese payment guidance also recommends multiple payment options for overseas visitors.

6. Can Foreigners Still Pay with Cash in China?

Yes.

This is worth emphasizing because there's a common misconception that China has become completely cashless.

It hasn't.

Foreign visitors can use renminbi (RMB) cash.

You can obtain RMB by exchanging foreign currency at eligible banks, money changers and exchange facilities, including at some airports and ports of entry. You can also withdraw RMB from compatible ATMs using international bank cards.

Cash is particularly useful as a backup if:

• Your phone battery dies
• You lose internet access
• Your bank blocks a transaction
• Your payment app temporarily doesn't work
• You're somewhere where your preferred digital payment method isn't convenient

You probably don't need to carry a huge amount.

A reasonable amount of RMB cash tucked away as backup can save you a headache.

7. What About Overseas E-Wallets?

Depending on where you're from, you may already have an e-wallet that works at participating merchants in China.

Chinese official guidance lists a growing number of supported overseas wallets from places including Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

Availability depends on your wallet and the merchant, so check with your existing payment provider before traveling.

If your home wallet already works in China, you may not need to set up as many new payment services.

8. What Is e-CNY?

You may also hear about e-CNY, China's digital currency.

Foreign visitors can use the e-CNY app in supported circumstances, including registering with an international mobile number. Current guidance also describes linking eligible Visa or Mastercard cards for certain payment functions.

For most first-time tourists, however, I wouldn't make this your first thing to set up.

Alipay, Weixin Pay, a bank card and cash already cover most common travel situations.

Think of e-CNY as another option rather than something every visitor must have.

9. How Do You Pay for Taxis and DiDi in China?

For ordinary taxis, payment options can vary, but mobile payment is extremely common and RMB cash remains useful.

For ride-hailing, foreign visitors can also use mobile services to book and pay for rides.

If you're planning to use DiDi in China, it's worth learning how it works before your first ride—especially how to enter destinations, identify the car and communicate with the driver.

We'll cover that separately in our How to Use DiDi in China: A Guide for Foreign Travelers.

10. How Do You Pay for the Metro, Trains and Buses?

Payment depends on the city and transport system.

Foreign travelers may be able to use combinations of:

• Alipay
• Weixin Pay
• RMB cash
• Bank cards
• Transport cards
• Local transport QR codes

Some cities also support international bank cards in certain transport systems. For example, official guidance notes that Beijing supports eligible overseas Visa and Mastercard cards directly at gates across multiple rail lines.

Don't assume every city works exactly the same way.

Our separate Getting Around China: Transportation Guide for Foreign Travelers will explain these options in more detail.

11. What If Your Mobile Payment Doesn't Work?

Don't panic.

Try these basic checks:

Check your internet connection.
QR payments generally need a working connection.

Check your bank.
Your issuing bank may have declined the transaction.

Try the other payment method.
If Alipay isn't working, try Weixin Pay, your bank card or cash.

Check the card inside the app.
Make sure the correct card is selected and hasn't expired.

Look for verification requests.
Your bank or payment app may be waiting for identity or security verification.

This is exactly why having a backup matters.

What Should You Set Up Before Traveling to China?

Before your flight, I recommend doing these few things:

• Install Alipay
• Install WeChat if you plan to use Weixin Pay
• Add at least one supported international bank card
• Make sure your bank knows overseas transactions are allowed
• Have a second card if possible
• Arrange mobile data for China
• Keep some RMB cash as backup after arrival
• Don't rely on only one payment method

You don't need to turn your phone into a collection of Chinese apps before you land.

Get the essentials working first.

Ready to Pay in China?

Paying in China is much easier for foreign travelers than it used to be.

You don't need a Chinese bank account just to buy a meal, take a taxi or go shopping.

Set up a mobile payment app, link an eligible international card, keep a little RMB cash for backup, and you're ready for most everyday situations.

Once your payment and internet are sorted, China becomes much easier to navigate.

Official Sources & Information Note

This guide is based on current payment information published by Chinese government authorities and payment-service guidance for overseas visitors. In July 2026, Chinese diplomatic missions also published updated payment guidance for foreign visitors covering bank cards, mobile payment, cash and other payment methods.

Payment-app features, supported international cards, fees, limits and verification requirements can change.

Always check the latest information shown by your payment provider and card issuer before traveling.