If you’re visiting mainland China for the first time, the biggest surprise is that almost no one uses cash or foreign bank cards anymore — mobile payments rule. Street food stalls, taxis, even tiny souvenir shops will expect you to pay by scanning a QR code.
Mainland vs. Hong Kong/Macau
Hong Kong and Macau still run on cash + Octopus card + widely accepted Visa/Mastercard. In mainland China, it’s a different ecosystem — Wexin/WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate, and foreign cards are rarely accepted outside hotels and high-end malls.
Step 1 — Get Alipay or Weixin/WeChat Pay
- Download Alipay or WeChat before you travel.
- Add your international Visa/Mastercard/debit card (no Chinese bank account needed).
- Complete passport verification in-app.
- Once linked, you can scan or show your QR code to pay anywhere.
Step 2 — Keep Some RMB Cash
Small towns, older markets, or some public buses may still take only cash.
Get a few hundred RMB at the airport or from ATMs that accept foreign cards.
Step 3 — Internet Is Key
Payments require data. Make sure your number has data roaming enabled. You need a local SIM to use public Wi-Fi in China, as most of which require a local number to receive password.
Quick Tips
- Tell your bank you’re traveling so card payments through these apps aren’t blocked.
- You may have to enter One-Time Password (OTP) for some transactions. If your OTP is sent via text messages, ensure your phone number supports global roaming.
- In restaurants, you might order and pay by scanning the QR code on your table. Both Alipay and WeChat support machine translations - it won't be 100 percent accurate but it could save you from frustrations.