China Travel Payment Issues
Foreign Tourist Payment Methods in China
Cash is widely accepted, but change may not always be available.
Foreign visitors can directly conduct exchanges at bank outlets with currency exchange signs, outlets of qualified financial institutions, or self-service kiosks.
RMB cash can be withdrawn with bank cards at ATMs with logos of corresponding bank card organizations.
Mobile payment like Alipay, WeChat Pay and Union Pay, linking foreign visitor's international credit cards including Visa and Master card for transactions.
Alipay and Wechat Pay accepted widely.
The single transaction limit of using mobile payments is 5,000 dollars, the annual cumulative transaction cap is 50,000 dollars.
Payment via international e-wallets including TrueMoney and Changi Pay accepted by scanning Alipay QR codes.
International credit cards payment accedpted by branded stores and luxurary hotels, not by small retailer.
Bank cards accepted if logos of the payment organizations are displayed. Unionpay cards can be accepted by all merchants' point of sales (POS) terminals.
In adtion, the international version of both Alipay and Wechat is tailored for overseas travelers to China, aiming to fulfill their travel needs not only payment by smartphones but also hailing a cab, taking public transport, or booking flight tickets and hotels etc.
Important Considerations: check the foreign transaction fees with your bank before your trip departure, as well as other abroad additional charges. Also let your bank knowledge of your traveling to China to avoid any potential blocks on your card due to suspicious activity.
Payment Wechat Download and Install page
Alipay Download and Install Page
Guide to Payment Service in China by "Payment & Clearing Association of China", PBC
Payment in provinces and cities by local PBC
Major Banks' Official Website Links in China
Bank of China, https://www.boc.cn/en/index.html
with 540+ overseas branches & subsidiaries covers 64 countries and regions
Industry and Commercial Bank of China, http://www.icbc.com.cn
with 410+ overseas branches & subsidiaries covers 49 countries and regions
China Construction Bank, https://www.ccb.com/
with 250+ overseas branches & subsidiaries covers 29 countries and regions
Bank of Communications , https://www.bankcomm.com/
with 20+ overseas branches & subsidiaries covers 18 countries and regions
Agriculture Bank of China, https://www.abchina.com/en/
with 20+ overseas branches & subsidiaries covers 18 countries and regions
China Merchants Bank, https://www.cmbchina.com/
with 10+ overseas branches & subsidiaries
Postal Saving Bank of China, https://www.psbc.com/
Industrial Bank, https://www.cib.com.cn/
China CITIC Bank, https://www.citicbank.com/
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, https://www.spdb.com.cn
If there are any changes or updates, please contact us for revisions.