How to Pay in China (2026): Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cards

Last checked: 3 November 2026. Every fact below links to its source and shows the source's date. Payment apps change their rules often, so the payment screen in the app has the final say.

⚠️ Visa-free deadline: 31 December 2026. China's 30-day unilateral visa-free entry for 48 of its 50 countries is currently stated to run only until 31 December 2026. Russia's runs to 31 Dec 2027, and Brunei's has no end date. The United States is not on the 30-day list. Sources: Chinese Embassy in Switzerland FAQ, 19 Aug 2026 and NIA country list, 17 Feb 2026. If you travel in 2027, check the National Immigration Administration (NIA) first.

The short version

1. Before you fly, install Alipay and/or WeChat, register with your own (foreign) mobile number, and link a Visa or Mastercard. Both apps allow this without a Chinese bank account. (Shanghai government, 21 Sep 2026)
2. Know the fee rule. A payment of ¥200 or less with a foreign card is generally free. Above ¥200, a 3% service fee on the full amount may apply. (Shanghai government, 21 Sep 2026)
3. Have a backup. Bring a second card from a different network or bank, and some cash (RMB). Many shops also accept cards directly: look for the Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay logo at the till.

Your payment options

Limits and fees: official figures

The government pages and WeChat's help page show different figures. The government figures are ceilings; each app sets the limit that applies to your account. Check "Me → Bank cards" in the app. Some card issuers run promotions that waive the 3% fee for a limited time. We haven't found an official, platform-wide waiver for 2026, so don't count on one.

How to link a foreign card (step by step)

Alipay

1. Download Alipay from your app store and sign up with your foreign mobile number. You'll get an SMS code.
2. Go to Me → Bank Cards → Add card and enter your Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover or Diners details.
3. If asked, verify your identity with your passport details or photo.
4. Make a small payment (under ¥200) to test it.

Sources: Shanghai government guide to linking cards to Alipay (25 Dec 2023) and Beijing payment services page (30 Aug 2024).

WeChat Pay

1. Install WeChat and register with your foreign number.
2. Go to Me → Services/Pay → Wallet → Cards → Add a card.
3. Verify with your passport when prompted. WeChat lists the passport as an accepted ID.

Source: WeChat Help Center, read 3 Nov 2026.

"My card was declined": what to do

The Beijing government notes that your own bank must authorise the link, and some banks reject it because their systems don't recognise the request (Beijing Municipal Government, Nov 2024). Try these in order:

1. Call or message your bank and say you're travelling to China and want to approve "Alipay" / "Tenpay (WeChat Pay)" payments. Turn on overseas and online transactions in your banking app.
2. Check that the name and billing address match your card exactly.
3. Try a different card network (Visa ↔ Mastercard) or a different bank.
4. Don't retry many times in a row. Repeated attempts can trigger your bank's fraud lock.
5. Pay by card at the till if the shop shows your card's logo, or use cash.
6. If the payment is above ¥200, consider splitting it, but remember the 3% fee is charged per transaction over ¥200.

No Chinese phone number?

You don't need one to pay. Alipay and WeChat both let you register with a foreign mobile number (Beijing Municipal Government, Nov 2024). Keep your home SIM or eSIM able to receive SMS for login codes. Some local services, such as ride-hailing, food delivery and park tickets, work better with a Chinese number (Beijing government, PEK SIM page). See our eSIM and internet guide.

Paying for high-speed trains: 12306 or Trip.com?

• 12306 (China Railway, official). Has an English site and app. You register with your passport and get real-name verified before buying (12306 English registration; MTR guide to 12306 tickets). Bring the same passport to the station; it is your ticket.
• Trip.com and other agencies. Easier English interface and customer support, and they buy on 12306 on your behalf. Check their service fee before you pay; we don't quote fees that change.

Book on 12306 if you want the official price and don't mind a few setup steps. Use an agency if 12306 rejects your card or verification.

Will hotels accept foreigners?

Since 2024, officials have said hotels should not turn away foreign guests, for example because they lack a "foreign-guest qualification" (Shanghai government, 29 May 2024; State Council, 26 Jul 2024). The hotel registers you with the police. If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, such as with friends, you must register within 24 hours. Since 21 Sep 2026 you can do this online nationwide (NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026). Small budget places sometimes still refuse, so message the hotel before booking.

Local tip (Chengdu)

This is first-hand experience from a Chengdu local, not an official rule. Every business decides what it accepts.

• Street shops and small vendors (snack stalls, tea shops, market stalls) are easiest with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Many only display a QR code.
• Hotels and large restaurants usually accept bank cards, including foreign ones.
• Attraction tickets can mostly be bought in WeChat or Alipay mini-programs or official accounts. The Panda Base, Jinsha Site Museum, Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Wuhou Shrine all sell tickets this way, with real-name booking by passport. See our step-by-step tutorial: How to buy Chengdu attraction tickets with Alipay or WeChat.

Other FAQs

Can I transit A → China → B without a visa? Possibly, under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. As of 20 Aug 2026 it covers 57 countries, including the US, UK and EU states, through 65 ports (NIA, 20 Aug 2026). Your next stop must differ from where you came from, and you need a confirmed onward ticket within 240 hours. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are treated by airlines as a separate "region" for this rule, but we couldn't find an explicit NIA statement, so confirm with 12367. Use our transit checker.

Is my passport on the 30-day visa-free list? Does it include the US? The list has 50 countries, and the US is not on it (NIA, 17 Feb 2026). For most of these countries the policy currently ends on 31 Dec 2026 (see the warning at the top).

My nationality isn't visa-free. What now? Apply for a visa through the Chinese embassy or consulate (or its visa centre) in your country. Many embassies use the online form at the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system. You may still qualify for the 24-hour direct transit if you don't leave the airport.

Related

• Chengdu attraction tickets with Alipay or WeChat
• 240-hour visa-free transit checker
• eSIM, SIM cards and internet in China

Information is for reference only. Official sources prevail.

Information is for reference only; official sources prevail. See our terms and disclaimer.