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alternatives · Last verified: 2026-10
What if I can't get Alipay or WeChat Pay working?
Bring ¥500–1000 RMB cash as a backup. Most large hotels and malls accept international cards. Convenience stores and sit-down restaurants almost always accept cash.
Step by step
- 1Cash: exchange at the airport (rates are worse but convenient) or at a Bank of China branch. ¥500 is enough for 2–3 days of daily expenses.
- 2UnionPay: if your bank card has UnionPay (common outside the US), it's accepted at many POS terminals without a separate app setup.
- 3International card at hotels: most 3-star+ hotels accept Visa/Mastercard directly at the front desk — useful for accommodation.
- 4ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank ATMs accept foreign Visa/Mastercard with a flat fee (~¥20–35 per withdrawal). Withdraw ¥1000–2000 at a time to minimize fees.
- 5Ask your hotel or host: they can often pay for things on your behalf and take cash reimbursement, which is common and accepted practice.
Common mistakes
- !Street food stalls, small local restaurants, shared bikes (Meituan, Hellobike), and shared power banks usually only accept mobile payment — cash doesn't work there.
- !Taxis increasingly prefer mobile payment but will accept cash.