Money & Pay

Payments Hub

Set up payments before you arrive

Foreign travelers should not rely on one payment method in China. Use these guides to prepare mobile payments, link international cards, understand when cash still matters, and keep a backup plan for hotels, transport, restaurants, and small vendors.

1. Build a payment backup planUnderstand which payment methods work beyond Alipay and WeChat Pay.
2. Set up mobile paymentsPrepare Alipay and WeChat Pay for everyday spending in China.
3. Link an international cardAdd a foreign card and know where card-linked payments may still fail.
4. Keep RMB cash as backupPlan currency exchange, ATM withdrawals, small cash needs, and emergency fallback.

Last checked: May 15, 2026. Payment app rules, card acceptance, and verification flows can change; test your setup before departure and keep a backup method.

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