Payments & eSIM for visitors to China
Alipay
Download Alipay, register with your phone number, then add a card. Official guidance says UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club and Discover can be added. To pay, scan the merchant's QR code or let them scan yours. English hotline per official guide: +86 571 2688 6000.
WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay)
Register in WeChat, open Wallet → Cards → Add a card. Official guidance lists UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover.
Bank cards & cash
Foreign cards work wherever the network logo is shown. UnionPay is accepted at all mainland POS terminals. You can withdraw yuan (RMB) at ATMs that accept international cards, or exchange cash at ports of entry and bank branches. Hotels rated three stars and up, and 4A/5A attractions, are required to accept foreign cards.
Sources: Chinese Embassy in the US – Payment guide PDF (2026-07) (checked 2026-10-17) · gov.cn – Payment service guide for overseas visitors (checked 2026-10-17)eSIM & internet
A travel eSIM bought before you leave gives you data on landing, and you need data to register for Alipay and WeChat. (We are still checking this section. Provider comparisons are coming.)
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