Is China cashless?
Go cashless#16 of 197 in The Cashlessy Index 2026 · #3 of 32 in Asia
Short answer: Download Alipay (and ideally WeChat Pay) and link your card before you go. You will barely touch cash.
China is one of the most cashless places on earth, but it runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, not cards. Both apps now let foreigners link a Visa or Mastercard, so visitors who set them up can pay almost anywhere without cash.
Will my card work?
Only in some places. Expect cards to work at larger hotels and a few big businesses in China, and little else.
Do I need cash?
Rarely. You can get by in China with a card or phone almost everywhere.
Local currency: Chinese yuan (CNY)
How does tipping work?
Not expected and sometimes refused. Tour guides are the main exception.
Mobile payments
Local apps often need a local bank account or phone number.
Apps you can use as a visitor
Locals here pay with apps as much as cards. These work without a local bank account.
Alipay
Scan or show a QR code to pay almost anywhere, including taxis, the metro and street food.
- How to set it up
- Download it before you travel, link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, and verify your passport in the app.
- Fees and limits
- Free up to ¥200 per payment, then 3% of the whole amount. The prepaid Tour Card option charges 5% to top up.
WeChat Pay
The other big QR wallet. Some small vendors only take one of the two, so it helps to have both.
- How to set it up
- Set up a WeChat account, open Wallet and link a Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners or foreign UnionPay card.
- Fees and limits
- Free under ¥200 per payment, then 3%. New users get the fee waived on payments under ¥1,000 for their first 60 days.
Getting cash: ATMs
Expect a fee at every ATM
Chinese bank ATMs charge foreign cards about ¥20-30 per withdrawal, with limits of ¥2,500-5,000 per withdrawal and about ¥10,000 a day.
Cheapest options
- Bank of China (about ¥20-30, the most reliable for Visa and Mastercard)
Your own bank may charge extra. When an ATM offers to convert to your home currency, decline and pay in the local currency.
Good to know
- Carry a little cash as a backup; shops are required to accept it.
Frequently asked questions
Is China cashless?
China scores 88/100 on Cashlessy (go cashless), ranking #16 of 197 countries. China is one of the most cashless places on earth, but it runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay, not cards. Both apps now let foreigners link a Visa or Mastercard, so visitors who set them up can pay almost anywhere without cash.
Do I need cash in China?
Rarely. You can get by in China with a card or phone almost everywhere.
Are credit cards accepted in China?
Only in some places. Expect cards to work at larger hotels and a few big businesses in China, and little else.
Do you tip in China?
Not expected and sometimes refused. Tour guides are the main exception.
Which ATMs are free in China?
Chinese bank ATMs charge foreign cards about ¥20-30 per withdrawal, with limits of ¥2,500-5,000 per withdrawal and about ¥10,000 a day. Best options: Bank of China (about ¥20-30, the most reliable for Visa and Mastercard).
What payment apps can tourists use in China?
Alipay: Scan or show a QR code to pay almost anywhere, including taxis, the metro and street food. WeChat Pay: The other big QR wallet. Some small vendors only take one of the two, so it helps to have both.
Compare with Asia
Sources
Checked against sources in September 2026. Payment habits change quickly; see how we score.