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Paying for things in China as a foreigner – the complete picture
Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept international cards now. Set them up before you fly, on your home Wi-Fi, with time to spare — doing it at the airport with a queue behind you is how people get stuck.
Three things that trip people up
- Some foreign banks decline the verification step. Have a second card ready.
- Small transactions occasionally need a Chinese phone number for verification.
- Cash still works and is still legal tender. Carry a few hundred yuan.
The short version
- Phone (Alipay / WeChat Pay) — works almost everywhere, including street stalls
- Cash — accepted, but rarely used. Carry a little for the exceptions
- Foreign card, swiped — only at big hotels, airports and some chain stores
What is your setup? Did any card of yours get rejected?
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