How to Pay in China as a Foreigner: Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cash (2026)
How to pay in China without a Chinese bank account
TL;DR: You need both Alipay and WeChat Pay in China — both now accept international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Amex directly. Setup takes 10-15 minutes per app with just your passport and a phone number. No Chinese bank account required. Cash is rapidly disappearing — street vendors, taxis, and even some restaurants refuse it. Install both apps before your flight so you can pay anywhere from the moment you land.
Alipay TourPass was discontinued in 2023. The current method is direct international card binding.
Why Mobile Payment is Essential in China
💡 Pro Tips: Set up BOTH apps. Alipay is more tourist-friendly, but WeChat is more widely accepted. Having both = never stuck.
Choose Your Digital Wallet
WeChat Pay
Most Widely Accepted- ✅ Used everywhere — street food to luxury malls
- ✅ Supports Visa, Mastercard, Amex
- ✅ QR code payment + Mini Programs (taxis, food, tickets)
- ✅ China's #1 messaging app — everyone uses it
Alipay
Best for Tourists- ✅ Very high acceptance rate nationwide
- ✅ Tourist-friendly interface with English support
- ✅ Built-in taxi, food delivery, route planning
- ✅ Scan QR for subway/bus in major cities
Transaction Fees
💡 Pro Tips: Split large payments into sub-200 RMB chunks to avoid fees. Example: 500 RMB → pay 200 + 200 + 100.