Tap with the cards
already in your wallet.
Until late 2023, paying in China meant a Chinese bank account or awkward cash. That ended. Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover directly — you bind a card once, then scan QR codes like a local.
Before you fly — the 10-minute setup
Download Alipay (or WeChat).
On Alipay, search for and open the 'Tour Card' mini-program. Most travelers find Alipay smoother than WeChat for foreign-card verification.
Verify your passport.
Upload a photo of your passport's biographical page. Approval usually takes minutes; allow up to 24 hours for edge cases.
Bind a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.
Enter your card normally. You'll get a small holds-and-release verification charge that drops off in a few days.
Test the QR scanner.
Open the app's scanner once at home so you know where the button lives. You'll use it ten times on your first day.
The 3% fee
Transactions over ¥200 (about $28) carry a 3% fee charged by the payment processor. Smaller transactions are free. Practical consequence: pay for street food, taxis, and small meals on Alipay; pay hotel bills and big retail with your card directly when accepted.
Cash still works
Chinese law requires merchants to accept cash. In practice, small vendors often lack change for ¥100 notes. Carry a few ¥20s and ¥50s for the rare place where Alipay glitches. ATMs in major cities accept foreign cards.
Mini-programs are the unlock
Once Alipay is set up, you can book Didi taxis, buy train tickets, rent bikes, and order food from the same app — no separate downloads. This single integration is the reason "cashless China" feels effortless once you're in.