How to Pay for Things in China Without Cash or Cards (A 2026 Guide)

One of the first questions my clients ask me before coming to China is always about money. Can I use my credit card? Do I need to carry cash? What is Alipay and do I really need it?

The short answer: you'll want to set up mobile payment before you arrive. Here's everything you need to know.

Cash is still accepted — but increasingly inconvenient

You can use cash everywhere in China legally. But in practice, many vendors prefer not to handle it. Taxi drivers often don't carry change. Street food stalls may wave you away if you hand them a ¥100 bill. Even some restaurants have signs saying "cashless only."

I tell my clients to carry about ¥200-300 in small bills for emergencies. But plan to use your phone for almost everything.

Alipay and WeChat Pay are the standard

These two apps dominate China's payment landscape. Alipay has over 1.3 billion users worldwide. WeChat Pay is built into WeChat, China's essential messaging app. Together, they cover virtually every transaction in the country.

The good news: since 2025, both apps accept foreign Visa and Mastercard cards directly. You no longer need a Chinese bank account. The setup takes about 3 minutes: download the app, verify with your passport, and link your card.

In 2025 alone, over 10 million inbound tourists used Alipay in China. Consumption by international visitors more than doubled year-over-year.

What you can pay for with your phone

Almost everything: restaurants, hotels, metro tickets, train tickets, bike rentals, Didi (China's Uber), supermarket shopping, museum entry, street food, convenience stores, and even donations at temples.

One Australian traveler told me: "I went an entire week without touching cash. Everything from my hotel to a ¥3 bottle of water — all paid with my phone."

What about foreign credit cards?

International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are accepted at major hotels, high-end restaurants, and international chains. But they're useless at most local restaurants, shops, and street vendors. Don't rely on your card as your primary payment method.

Recent improvements

The Chinese government has pushed hard to make mobile payments accessible to foreign visitors. Key changes in 2025-2026:

My recommendation

Set up Alipay before you arrive. It's the most universal option and the easiest for short-term visitors. Add WeChat Pay if you plan to use WeChat for messaging (which most travelers do).

And keep ¥200 in small notes somewhere in your bag. Just in case.

When you arrive, paying for things will probably be easier than it is at home. And when you leave, you'll wonder why the rest of the world hasn't caught up.