How to pay for things in China without a Chinese bank account
Cash is rarely accepted anywhere that matters anymore — shops, taxis, even street stalls run on two apps. Here's how to get one working with your home card before you land.
Download Alipay or WeChat Pay, link a Visa / Mastercard / foreign Amex during sign-up, and verify with your passport. Do it before you fly — verification is smoother on stable wifi than airport data. Either app works almost everywhere; you don't need both.
01Pick one app, not both
Alipay's foreign-card support has generally been the smoother ride for short-term visitors, with a "Tour Pass" mode built for exactly this situation. WeChat Pay works too, and is worth setting up if you're already using WeChat to message people in China — but if you only want one, most first-timers find Alipay the easier start.
02Set it up before you fly
- Download Alipay from your home country's app store — search "Alipay", not a region-locked version.
- Sign up with your phone number. Your regular international number is fine.
- Switch to "Tour Pass" or international mode if it's offered.
- Add your Visa, Mastercard, or foreign Amex under payment methods.
- Complete passport verification — clear photo, good light, no glare.
03What still takes cash or a regular card
| Situation | What works |
|---|---|
| Big hotels, international chains | Foreign credit card directly, usually fine |
| Street food, small shops, taxis | Alipay / WeChat Pay only — have it ready |
| Rural areas, older vendors | Keep some cash (RMB) as backup |
| Airport on arrival | Exchange counters and cash both work fine |
04If verification won't go through
Airport arrival halls and most hotel front desks have seen this exact problem many times and can usually point you to a self-service kiosk or help you finish. Bank of China branches in major cities also have English-speaking staff for tourist account issues. It's a known friction point — not a sign you've done something wrong.