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
53
useful
Shanghai
Can I use cash or credit cards in Shanghai or do I need Alipay
Install Alipay before flying and link Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Discover; verification can take 24 hours.
51
useful
Shanghai
Can I use cash in Shanghai or do I need Alipay
Install Alipay before departure and verify your passport over Wi-Fi at home; in-China verification can stall for 24 hours.