How to make payment in China for tourist: The latest guide & Best payment methods in China for tourists

How to make payment in China for tourist, how to pay in China as a tourist, what is the best payment method in China? Have you heard about how to make cashless payment in China using Alipay and WeChat Pay? Find out payment methods in China for tourists
popular payment methods in China in this article!

For “travelers”, currency and payment are always the top concerns when setting foot in a new land, especially in a large country like China. Understanding currency and transaction methods will help you avoid unnecessary troubles, ensuring a smooth trip in the country of a billion people.

China has a developed economy and a modern payment system, from traditional cash to popular electronic applications. So what methods can international tourists use? This article will help you better understand payment methods when traveling to China, including Alipay and WeChat Pay. Follow now!

Popular Payment Methods in China

Beijing to Shanghai train

In China, tourists can pay by cash, bank card or electronic payment applications. Of which, e-wallet is the most popular and convenient method. Cash is still accepted in many places, especially traditional markets, small restaurants or public transport such as buses. Therefore, change small bills for convenience!

International bank cards such as Visa, Mastercard can also be used in some shopping malls and large hotels, but e-wallets are still dominant. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the two most popular applications, helping you pay quickly by scanning QR codes at stores, restaurants or even taxis. If you want to use these applications, remember to register an account and link your card before coming to China to avoid interruptions!

What Currency Does China Use?

eSIM for China, Hong Kong, Macau (QR code activation via email)

The official currency in China is the Chinese Yuan (RMB), also known as “yuan” (¥ or CNY). One yuan is divided into 10 hao and 100 xu, however, xu are rarely used in daily transactions. The common denominations of paper money that you will encounter include 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan. Besides, there are small denominations such as 1, 2, 5 cent, which often appear in small transactions.

Currently, the exchange rate for Vietnamese Dong to Chinese Dong is about 3,507 VND/CNY, which means that if you exchange 1,000,000 VND, you will receive about 285 CNY. When you need to exchange money for use in China, you can choose one of the following ways:

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• Exchange money at banks, large hotels or legal money exchange counters. These places often have clear “Exchange” signs, making it easy for you to identify.
• Withdraw cash at ATMs that accept international cards. These ATMs are located at airports and city centers, convenient for tourists who need cash upon arrival.
• Some airports and downtown areas have currency exchange machines, helping tourists exchange money quickly and easily.

For more convenience, you should exchange some money in Vietnam in advance to ensure you have enough money for travel and shopping as soon as you arrive in China.

Notes When Using Cash in China

Be Careful with Counterfeit Money

Shanghai Disneyland Ticket

In China, counterfeit money is not an uncommon problem, especially with large denomination bills. If the bill shows signs of fading, ink stains or being torn, the seller will refuse to accept your money. Therefore, when exchanging money or receiving change, check carefully:

• Feel the material: Real money is usually slightly rough, not too slippery.
• Check the watermark: Hold the money up to the light to check the security details.
• Check the serial number: Real money has a sharp serial number, not blurred.

Not Everywhere Accepts Cash

Beijing Wildlife Park Ticket

Some supermarkets and convenience stores in China only accept payments via WeChat Pay or Alipay. So, if you plan to shop at small stores, check in advance to see if they accept cash. In addition, when making purchases, especially at traditional markets or when taking a taxi, the seller will not have small change to give. Change some small bills in advance for convenience.

Notes on Using ATMs

Oriental Pearl Tower

If you need to withdraw money in China, ATMs available in major cities will be a convenient option. However, you should note that not all ATMs accept international cards. If you must use an ATM, choose a Bank of China ATM, as they are popular and easy to use in major cities. However, withdrawing money from an ATM can be very expensive if you use an international card, so limit the number of withdrawals.

How to Make Cashless Payments in China?

China is one of the leading countries in cashless payments, with a widespread electronic transaction system. Tourists can choose between international bank cards, e-wallets such as WeChat Pay, Alipay or travel cards to pay instead of cash. Each method brings its own benefits, suitable for different needs.

Paying by Bank Card in China

Karoo Ice and Snow World Ticket

International credit and debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard are still accepted at major hotels, shopping malls, high-end restaurants and airports. However, not all places accept card payments, especially small shops or traditional markets.

One thing to note is that international card transactions may be rejected if your bank detects an unusual transaction. Therefore, before going, inform the bank that you will use the card in China to avoid having the transaction blocked. In addition, foreign currency conversion fees may apply when using the card abroad, so you should also check in advance to be best prepared.

How to make payment in China for tourist: Pay with E-Wallet in China

Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou

If you want to pay quickly when traveling to China, e-wallet is the optimal choice. WeChat Pay and Alipay are two popular platforms, widely accepted from shopping malls, restaurants to street food stalls. No more worries about small change or counterfeit money, all you need is a phone with internet.

WeChat Pay is a payment feature of the WeChat application – a familiar messaging platform in China. Just scan the QR code and you have successfully paid immediately without having to carry cash or card. Similarly, Alipay also works with QR codes and also supports international payments, making it easy for tourists to use.

In addition to WeChat Pay and Alipay, some other methods are also very convenient:

• Apple Pay: Contactless payment with iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch via NFC technology.
• Samsung Pay: Works similarly to Apple Pay, supports payments in many major cities in China.

Pay with a Travel Card in China

Want to travel to China without having to carry too much cash? The Tour Card will be the ideal solution! This is a prepaid card issued by UnionPay, helping you pay at more than 30 million acceptance points across China. With Tour Card, you can easily pay for food, shopping, and transportation without opening a bank account in China. However, the card only supports payment, without money transfer or investment features.

Shanghai Tower Ticket

One advantage of a travel card is that you can top up directly from an international card such as Visa or MasterCard, helping you be proactive in spending without having to exchange money. This is a safe and convenient option for travelers who are not familiar with using e-wallets or want a backup option besides cash.

In short, before your trip, make sure you have prepared at least two different payment methods to avoid emergency situations. Whichever method you use, the most important thing is to be flexible, proactive, and have a plan, to make your trip to China easier and more complete!

How to make payment in China for tourist: How to Use Alipay When Traveling to China?

To use Alipay when traveling to China, download the app, register an account with your email or phone number, then link your Visa, MasterCard or JCB card. With Alipay, you can pay almost everywhere, from shopping, dining, to calling a taxi or buying train tickets. Learn how to use it in detail now!

Step 1: Download the Alipay App

Shanghai Happy Valley

First, you need to download the Alipay app from the app store or official website. Alipay is a payment-oriented app like PayPal. So, if your goal is to shop and spend conveniently, Alipay is definitely the ideal choice.

Step 2: Register an Alipay Account

After downloading the app, you just need to register with your email or phone number. The great thing is that the app does not require a Chinese phone number to register, so you can use your phone number. When registering, remember to choose the international version for more convenient use!

Step 3: Link Bank Acount to Alipay

Alipay supports linking with Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, helping you use international cards easily. Just enter the card number, fill in the necessary information and complete the link, you will be able to use Alipay to pay without exchanging cash.

Step 4: Use Tourcard If You Cannot Link Card

Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour from Beijing

In some cases, international cards may not work at some small shops or local eateries. Don’t worry, you can still use TourCard, a special service in Alipay provided by Shanghai Bank.

To use TourCard, you just need to:

• Search for “TourCard” in the Alipay app and open the mini-program.
• Verify your identity with your passport.
• Top up your TourCard to exchange it for RMB and use it at stores.

Note: TourCard makes it easier for you to pay, but each top-up will be charged 5%, so consider when using it.

How to pay in China as a tourist: Wechat Pay User Guide for Chinese Tourists

Integrated with WeChat, WeChat Pay is an option for you to comfortably text and make quick payments. Just download the WeChat app, register an account, link an international card and use the QR code to pay when shopping, eating and traveling.

Step 1: Download the Wechat App

Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum Ticket

First, download WeChat from the App Store or the official website. The Chinese name of this app is “Weixin”, so download Weixin if you can’t find WeChat in the app store. In addition to payment, WeChat is also a popular messaging app, like WhatsApp, that helps you connect with people during your trip.

Step 2: Register a WeChat Account

When registering a WeChat account, foreign travelers can use their phone number or Facebook account. Just enter your phone number, receive a confirmation code and complete the registration. In some cases, the system may ask you to provide passport information to verify your identity.

Step 3: Link a Bank Card to WeChat Pay

After you have an account, go to “Me”, select “Services”, then go to “Wallet” and tap “Bank Card”. Enter your card number and follow the instructions to complete the verification. WeChat Pay supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover, making it easy for you to use international cards.

Step 4: Pay with Wechat Pay

Chimelong Hengqin Island Theatre

There are two main ways to pay with WeChat Pay:

• Scan the store’s QR code: When paying, you just need to open WeChat, select “Scan”, scan the store’s QR code and enter the amount to pay.
• Show the payment code: If the store has a scanner, open WeChat Pay, select “Payment Code” and give the code to the staff to scan to complete the transaction.

What are the common risks when making electronic payments in China and how to avoid them?

When traveling to China, electronic payments bring convenience but also come with some risks. To avoid problems such as locked accounts, QR code fraud or lost network connection, prepare carefully before your trip. Let’s learn the tips to help protect your account and make safe payments!

One of the common risks is that your WeChat Pay or Alipay account is locked due to incomplete verification or the transaction is rejected because the system detects an abnormality. To avoid this, before you go, you should register and link an international bank card to the app, notify the bank about using the card in China and make sure to use your own phone number and email when verifying your account.

In addition, being scammed by fake QR codes is a big risk. To protect yourself, you should only scan QR codes from reputable stores, restaurants or services, carefully check the store name displayed on the app before paying, and avoid clicking on strange links sent via text messages or emails.

Another problem is losing network connection when you need to pay. To be prepared, you should buy a 4G SIM or eSIM to ensure internet connection, download the app in advance and update to the latest version, and don’t forget to bring a credit card or spare cash.

Finally, it is extremely important to protect your account from unauthorized access or loss of money. Create a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, avoid logging into Alipay or WeChat Pay on public devices, and regularly check your transaction history to detect any unusual signs in time.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pay When Traveling to China

Is it safe to pay by QR code in China?

Paying by QR code is a safe, convenient and fast way. However, to be safe, you should only scan the code from reputable stores and restaurants and check the information carefully before confirming the payment.

How to pay when traveling to China without WeChat Pay?

If you don’t have WeChat Pay, you can use Alipay, international credit cards at some accepting points, or bring cash to use when needed.

How to top up Wechat Pay without a Chinese bank account?

If you don’t have a Chinese bank account, you can top up WeChat Pay by asking friends to transfer money, using a third-party top-up service, or linking an international card if supported.

What do you need to prepare to pay in China?

To pay in China, you need to register and verify a WeChat Pay or Alipay account, link an international bank card, buy a 4G SIM/eSIM to ensure network connection, and bring a credit card or spare cash.

With the strong development of payment methods in China, you can completely rest assured when shopping and spending throughout your trip. Just prepare a little cash in RMB, an international bank card, and pre-install payment applications, you can easily pay for all services, from eating to sightseeing.

Now that you know how to pay when traveling to China, book your tickets to explore right away!

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• Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
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Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.