Mobile Payments: Alipay & WeChat Pay
Cash is nearly extinct in China. Foreign cards now link to Alipay/WeChat Pay in minutes - here is the 2026 setup.
The basics
Cash is nearly extinct in China. Foreign cards now link to Alipay/WeChat Pay in minutes - here is the 2026 setup.
Can I use my Visa/Mastercard?
Yes. Link international cards in Alipay or WeChat Pay; single payments under ~5,000 CNY incur no fee (limits change quarterly).
Do small vendors take cash?
Legally they must, but change is scarce. Set up a payment app as backup.
Is cash safe as fallback?
Keep 200-500 CNY in small notes for trains, temples and rural areas.
Frequently asked
Can I use my Visa/Mastercard?
Yes. Link international cards in Alipay or WeChat Pay; single payments under ~5,000 CNY incur no fee (limits change quarterly).
Do small vendors take cash?
Legally they must, but change is scarce. Set up a payment app as backup.
Is cash safe as fallback?
Keep 200-500 CNY in small notes for trains, temples and rural areas.
Updated 2026-10-29