Money & Payments
Paying for things in China changed completely after 2024. Alipay and WeChat Pay now link international Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Discover cards directly through the Tour Card feature, with a fee waiver under 200 RMB per transaction. Cash is still accepted but rare. ATMs, currency exchange at Bank of China, and what happens when your card "doesn't work" at the merchant.
2 answers
144
useful
Beijing
Can foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China with international credit cards?
Bind Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners, or UnionPay directly in Alipay or Weixin Pay — Tour Pass is retired in 2026.
63
useful
Beijing
Do I need both Alipay and WeChat Pay for China?
Use Alipay TourCard for daily payments; metro, taxi, restaurants, and shops cover 90% of spend on a foreign Visa or Mastercard.