Payments in China

Direct Answer

What should travelers know about payments in china?

Foreign visitors can generally use Alipay in China by installing the app, completing identity and account setup, and linking a supported international bank card where available. State Council payment guidance says foreign users can link international credit cards including Visa and Mastercard to Alipay and WeChat Pay, and China has promoted multiple payment options for overseas visitors including mobile payment, bank cards, cash, bank accounts, and e-CNY. Do not rely on Alipay alone: merchant QR setup, card issuer approval, account verification, transaction limits, and service fees can vary, so prepare WeChat Pay, card, or RMB cash backups.