In China, you have a number of payment options at your fingertips, ranging from mobile payments to bank cards and cash.

Bank card

Bank cards issued in your home country/region can be accepted if logos of UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard and other payment organizations are displayed at the checkout counter. If not, please ask the cashier whether your bank card can be accepted. If you hold a UnionPay card, it can be accepted by all merchant POS terminals in China’s mainland.

Mobile Payment

You can enjoy convenient payments with just a mobile phone. Payment services such as Alipay and Weixin are available.

        Alipay
        1. Search for Alipay in the app store or on its official website, and download the app.
        2. Open the app, and register with your phone number or just sign in if you have already registered.
        3. Add bank cards. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards can be added to Alipay.
        4. You can pay by scanning a merchant’s QR code or by having a merchant scan yours.
        5. English Service Hotline: +86-571 2688 6000.

        Weixin Pay
        1. Search for WeChat in the app store, and download it.
        2. Open the WeChat app, and register with your phone number or just sign in if you have already registered.
        3. Add bank cards. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners club, and Discover cards can be added to Weixin Pay.
        4. You can pay by scanning a merchant’s QR code or by having a merchant scan yours.
        5. English Service Hotline: +86-95017.

Cash

If you need cash, you can withdraw RMB cash with your bank card at ATM with logos of the corresponding bank card organizations. You can also directly exchange at bank outlets with currency exchange signs, outlets of qualified financial institutions or self-service kiosks. Please consult the staff for currencies available.

For more details, please check: Guide to Payment Services in China