China

Cards, ATMs and cash in China: what to expect

Foreign credit cards work at big hotels, airports and some chains, but most everyday spending runs through Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card, so set one up before you fly. Carry a little cash for small vendors and top-ups, and withdraw from major bank ATMs rather than currency kiosks.

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Updated Sep 20264 min read

GuideChina

Key facts

Everyday payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card; QR codes at almost every counter
Card acceptancecheck: Big hotels, airports, some malls and chains; small shops and stalls often QR-only
Cash: Still legal tender and useful for small vendors, markets and transport top-ups
ATM withdrawals: Major bank ATMs (Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank) are the usual choice
Typical foreign ATM feecheck: Local operator fee around ¥15–30 per withdrawal, plus your own bank's fee (2026 estimate)
Withdrawal limitcheck: Often ¥2,500–3,000 per transaction; daily caps vary by bank and card (check)
Currency choice at the terminal: Choose CNY, not your home currency, to avoid dynamic currency conversion

Details

China moved to QR-code payment faster than almost anywhere else. Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept foreign cards for tourist use, and once set up they cover metro gates, taxis, convenience stores, restaurants and many ticket counters. Do this at home, before you fly: verification can need a phone number and a passport photo, and it is far easier on a stable connection than in an arrivals hall.

Physical cards still work, but the pattern is uneven. International hotels, airport shops, some department stores and a few chain restaurants take Visa, Mastercard and sometimes Amex. A neighbourhood noodle shop, a market stall or a rural guesthouse may take only a QR code or cash. Treat the card as a backup and the phone as your main wallet.

Cash has not disappeared. Renminbi notes and coins remain legal tender, and small vendors, some buses and older ticket windows still prefer them. Keep roughly ¥200–500 in small notes for the first day, then top up as needed. Banks change money on weekdays with your passport, and hotel front desks often help at a worse rate.

Step by step

Set up payment before departure. Install Alipay or WeChat Pay, add your card, complete identity verification and test a small payment if you can. Link a card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee if you have one.

On arrival, withdraw a starter amount of cash from an ATM in the terminal or a major bank branch. Use machines attached to a bank, in daylight, and cover the keypad. Decline any offer to convert the withdrawal into your home currency.

For daily spending, scan the merchant's QR code and pay in CNY. If a card terminal asks whether to charge in CNY or your home currency, pick CNY — the other option is dynamic currency conversion and usually costs more.

Keep a second card and some cash separate from your phone. If a phone is lost or a card is blocked, a backup card plus ¥300 in notes keeps the trip moving while you sort it out.

Summary table

Summary table
Situation	Best option	Watch
Hotel, airport, big mall	Foreign credit card	Some terminals add a surcharge (check)
Restaurant, shop, taxi	Alipay or WeChat Pay QR	Needs data and a working linked card
Market stall, small vendor	Cash in small notes	Change is not always available
Metro and city bus	Transit QR in Alipay or WeChat	Buy a single ticket if the app fails
Getting cash	Major bank ATM	Local fee plus your bank's fee (check)
Currency kiosk or hotel desk	Avoid unless urgent	Rates are usually worse than an ATM

Tips

Tell your bank you are travelling; foreign transactions are a common trigger for a block.
Screenshot your Alipay or WeChat Pay payment QR in case data drops.
Carry ¥100–200 in small notes for the first hours after landing.
Keep the emergency number for your card issuer saved offline.
Check customs limits on cash before you fly — see the customs rules page.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Are credit cards widely accepted in China?

Partly. International hotels, airports, some malls and chains take Visa and Mastercard, but many everyday places — small restaurants, stalls, taxis — expect a QR payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay or cash. Set up a mobile wallet before you fly.

Which ATMs have the lowest fees in China?

ATMs at major banks such as Bank of China, ICBC and China Construction Bank are the usual choice, with a local operator fee of roughly ¥15–30 per withdrawal (2026 estimate, check). Your own bank may add a fee and a markup, so compare before you go.

Should I pay in local currency or my own?

Always choose CNY. If a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, that is dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is usually worse than letting your bank convert. The same applies to card payments in shops.

Can I use Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card?

Yes, both accept foreign cards for visitor use, but you should link and verify the account before departure. Verification may need a phone number and passport details, and it is easier on a stable connection at home than on arrival.

How much cash should I carry in China?

A few hundred yuan is enough as a backup. Cash still works everywhere, but QR payment covers most spending. Keep small notes for markets, small vendors and transport top-ups, and withdraw more from a bank ATM when you run low.

Deep dive

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