Cash, ATMs and credit cards in China: what works (2026)

Most people in China pay by phone, and you will too once Alipay and WeChat Pay are set up. But your plastic cards and a little cash still matter: for big hotel bills, for the moment an app refuses your card, and for the stall that only has a personal QR code.

Where foreign cards work

By national rules, these places must accept both Chinese and foreign bank cards:

• hotels rated three stars and up
• 4A and 5A national tourist attractions
• national and provincial tourist resorts and national tourism and leisure districts

In practice, most big airports, department stores, international chains and upmarket restaurants take Visa and Mastercard too. Beijing Capital and Daxing airports were the first official payment service zones for overseas visitors, with card terminals, exchange machines and help desks. Apple Pay works mainly in international hotels. Shenzhen Metro accepts contactless cards at the gates.

Small shops, street food, markets, taxis and most local restaurants usually do not take foreign cards. There you pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay or cash.

If a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose yuan. The conversion rate offered at the terminal is usually worse than your bank’s.

ATMs that take foreign cards

Bank of China ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and UnionPay cards issued abroad. Each withdrawal is capped at ¥3,000. Your own bank sets any daily limit and the fees.

Other ATMs work too if they show the logo of your card’s network. Tips:

• Tell your bank you are travelling, or it may block the first withdrawal.
• Use ATMs inside bank branches during opening hours. If the machine keeps your card, staff can help.
• Carry two cards and keep one separate from your wallet.

Exchanging money

Change money at a bank branch with a currency exchange sign, or at official exchange counters and machines. Bring your passport; you need it for every exchange. Foreign visitors have an annual quota equivalent to US$50,000.

Airport counters are convenient but often give worse rates, so change only what you need for the first day there. Avoid people offering to change money on the street. Keep your receipts in case you want to change leftover yuan back before you leave.

How much cash to carry

There is no official number. For most city trips, a few hundred yuan per person, around ¥500 to ¥1,000, is plenty as a backup. Ask for some small notes (¥10, ¥20 and ¥50), because small vendors may struggle to change a ¥100 note.

Since 1 February 2026, every business in China must accept cash, including small notes and coins. Automated machines must offer a cash option in special cases, such as when mobile payment fails. If a business refuses cash, you can report it to the local branch of the People’s Bank of China.

Customs rules when you enter or leave: you can carry up to ¥20,000 in Chinese cash, and foreign cash worth more than US$5,000 must be declared in writing.

Where you will need backups most

In big cities and around major sights, phone payments and foreign cards cover almost everything. The further you travel from them, into small towns, rural areas and night markets, the more you rely on Alipay, WeChat Pay and cash. On mountain trails and at village guesthouses, signal can be weak, so cash is the safe choice.

Tax refunds, tipping and haggling are covered on our payments page. For what to set up and when, see the pre-trip timeline.