Your all-in-one guide to paying, traveling, and apps in China — organized by trip length
China is virtually cashless. Foreign tourists can now pay like locals with international cards on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Here's what you need to know.
Accepted: Major hotels, international restaurants, large malls, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, supermarkets like Walmart and Carrefours
Small local restaurants, street food vendors, local markets, rural areas, some smaller hotels. Always carry ¥200-500 in cash as backup.
Alipay is easier for foreigners — cleaner interface, better English support, simpler verification. WeChat is more versatile (messaging + payments) but setup can be trickier. Use both!
The #1 pain point for foreign tourists in 2026: International SMS delays or failures can prevent card verification. Banks may block transactions thinking it's fraud.
Even after successful verification, some cards get randomly declined. This is especially common with American Express and Discover cards.
The April 2026 government measures specifically addressed payment issues:
Good news for shoppers! You can get a tax refund when leaving China.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum spend | ¥500 per store, same day |
| Look for signs | "Tax Free" or "退税" signs |
| At the store | Get the invoice (发票) and tax refund form |
| At airport | Show items + form at customs BEFORE checking luggage |
| Refund location | Designated counter near boarding gates |
| Refund method | Credit card or Alipay (cash at some airports) |
China's transport network is world-class. Here's how to navigate it efficiently.
Official train booking app. Best for Chinese speakers or with translation. Tickets up to 15 days ahead.
English-friendly interface. Book trains, flights, hotels. Slight booking fee but convenient.
Every major Chinese city has an efficient metro system. Here's how to use it:
| City | Best App | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 亿通行 (YITongXing) | Alipay, WeChat, Visa |
| Shanghai | Metro大都会 | Alipay, WeChat, Visa |
| Guangzhou | 广州地铁 | Alipay, WeChat |
| Shenzhen | 深圳地铁 | Alipay, WeChat |
| Other cities | Use city metro app or Alipay | Alipay/WeChat QR |
In most cities, you can use Alipay → Transportation to generate a metro QR code directly — no need to download separate city apps!
The hottest travel trend of 2026: Foreigners arrive in China with empty suitcases and fill them with Chinese products. Popular items include:
Pro tip: Tax refunds make electronics especially cheap — combined with lower prices, you can save 40-60% on drones and gadgets.
Didi (滴滴出行) is China's dominant ride-hailing app, like Uber:
Drivers may call you — use the in-app translation or simple phrases. Make sure your phone number is active. For English speakers, Trip.com's Didi integration sometimes offers English driver matching.
China has millions of shared bikes. Super convenient for short distances!
Access: Alipay → Bike → Scan. Deposit not required for linked cards. ¥1.5-3 per ride.
Scan via Meituan app or WeChat. ¥2-4 per ride. Orange bikes are common.
For routes without trains, long-distance buses are available:
| Option | Best For | Book Via |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance bus stations | Rural routes, last-resort transport | In person, or 携程 (Ctrip) |
| 城际拼车 (Carpool) | Same route as train, sometimes faster | Alipay → Diandicheba |
| Private car with driver | Door-to-door, airport transfers | Didi (舒适出行) |
Download these before you arrive in China. Some may require a VPN to access from outside China.
Essential! Messaging + payments + mini-programs. Get it before arrival.
Payment app. Easier setup for foreigners than WeChat Pay.
Best for driving/walking navigation in China. In Chinese but very accurate.
Good for public transit directions. English interface available.
Works in China but limited POI data. Use as backup.
Best Chinese-English dictionary. Camera translation is incredibly useful.
Camera translation works offline. Download Chinese language pack before arrival.
Yelp of China. Find restaurants, read reviews, see wait times. English interface available.
Food delivery + reviews. Can order delivery to your hotel.
Call 120 (ambulance), 110 (police) directly from WeChat → Pay → City Services
Download before arrival: includes translation for medical/police emergencies
Choose your package based on trip length. These are the optimal app combinations.
Focus on getting WeChat + Alipay working before arrival. Everything else can be figured out on the go.
Payment apps may have monthly limits. Consider a Chinese bank account for extended stays (requires passport + temporary residence registration).
Yes! Both Alipay and WeChat Pay now support foreign credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover). You need to verify your passport and link an international card. Alipay is generally easier for foreigners to set up.
Use the 12306 app (official) or the Trip.com / Ctrip app (English-friendly). You can book tickets 15 days in advance. Foreigners need to verify their passport information. Tickets can be collected at stations with your passport.
For Alipay and WeChat Pay with international cards, you can use a foreign phone number during registration. However, some features (like ride-hailing) work better with a Chinese number. Consider getting a China SIM card at the airport.
For metro: Use the local city metro app or Amap (高德地图). For taxis: Didi (滴滴出行) works well with international phone numbers. For bikes: Alipay's bike function or Meituan. For trains: 12306 app.
Yes, if you spend over 500 RMB at a single tax-refund store on the same day. Look for stores with 'Tax Free' signs. Get the invoice and present it at the airport customs before checking in your luggage. Refunds are available at designated airport counters.
Must-have: WeChat (communication + payments), Alipay (payments), Amap/Google Maps (navigation), Pleco (Chinese translation), Dianping (food reviews). For longer trips add: Didi (taxis), 12306 (trains), Ctrip/Trip.com (flights + hotels), VPN (if needed).