Payments
Pay like a local: Alipay, WeChat Pay and cards for foreign visitors.
Beijing Subway Foreign Card Tap-to-Go Guide (2026)
Use Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB or UnionPay on the Beijing Subway in 2026, with gate steps, backup payment options and failure fixes.
China Tax Refund Guide 2026: New Rules and Airport Steps
Claim China’s 2026 departure tax refund with the ¥200 threshold, new digital checks, refund rates, documents, and airport steps.
GO BEIJING Travel Wallet 2026: No-Card-Link Payment Guide
GO BEIJING lets eligible foreign visitors pay without linking a bank card. Learn availability, funding, fees, limits, and safer backups.
China Tourist Tax Refund 2026: New July Rules, Rates and Airport Steps
Claim China tourist tax refunds with the 2026 rules: ¥200 minimum spend, July inspection changes, refund rates and airport steps.
How to Pay in China Without Transaction Fees (2026 Foreigner Guide)
Alipay and WeChat Pay charge foreigners nothing under ¥200 and 3% above it. Here's exactly how the fee works and how to pay almost nothing in China in 2026.
Best Travel Card for China (2026): Wise, Revolut & ATM Guide
The best travel card for China is any card you can verify with your passport, link to Alipay or WeChat, and use at a UnionPay ATM. Here's how Wise, Revolut and a normal debit card compare in 2026.
Best Currency to Take to China (2026): Cash, Exchange & USD Myths
You can't spend US dollars in China: you spend yuan, mostly by app. Here's what currency to bring, where to exchange for the best rate, and how much cash you actually need in 2026.
How to Withdraw Cash in China (2026): ATMs, Foreign Cards, Fees
Withdraw cash in China with a foreign card: which bank ATMs work (BOC, ICBC), the ¥2,500 to ¥3,000 per-withdrawal cap, fees, and money-saving settings.
Can You Use Apple Pay in China? (2026) Google Pay Too
Apple Pay and Google Pay barely work in China with a foreign card: merchants use UnionPay QR, and Google is blocked. The Alipay and WeChat Pay fix explained.
How Much Cash to Bring to China (2026): Amounts by Trip Length
How much cash to bring to China for 1 week, 10 days or 2 weeks: a reserve of ¥2,000 to ¥3,000, why apps cover 95%, and which notes to ask for.
Can You Use Cash in China? (2026) Is It Still Cashless?
Yes, cash is legal in China and businesses must accept it since Feb 2026, but mobile pay rules daily life. Where cash works, where it stalls, how much to carry.
Can You Use Credit Cards in China? (2026) Visa & Mastercard Guide
Where a foreign Visa or Mastercard works in China (hotels, airports) and where it fails, why UnionPay QR blocks it, and the app fix for full coverage.
WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2026): Setup, Fees, Limits & Foreign Cards
Set up WeChat Pay in China with a foreign Visa or Mastercard: step-by-step linking, the ¥200 free threshold, 3% fee, limits and the 60-day promo.
WeChat Pay vs Alipay for Tourists in China (2026): Which Should You Use?
A head-to-head comparison of WeChat Pay and Alipay for tourists in China: fees, card limits, merchant acceptance and which app to pick in 2026.
Alipay Tour Pass Is Discontinued: What Replaced It in 2026
Alipay Tour Pass was discontinued in 2023. Here is what replaced it, the current fees and limits, and the exact steps to pay in China in 2026.
How to Pay in China: Mobile Payments, Cash & Cards (2026)
Your big-picture money guide to China in 2026: link a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay and WeChat Pay, carry RMB cash, and use foreign cards and ATMs wisely.
Alipay for Foreigners: How to Set It Up and Pay in China (2026)
Set up Alipay with a foreign phone number and eligible international card, understand verification, QR payments, and where to check current terms.