Quick Answer
China is effectively a cashless country.
Almost everything—shops, restaurants, transport, taxis, street stalls—can be paid by phone using QR codes.
As a foreigner, your goal is not to carry cash, but to set up mobile payment correctly and test it early.
If you are planning your first trip, start with First Time in China for the full arrival checklist.
The One-Minute Reality Check
If you remember only five things:
- Install both Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Verify your identity and link a foreign card
- Test a real payment on day one
- Use QR codes for almost everything
- Carry a little cash only as backup
You are prepared.
How Payments Actually Work in China
The Default Method: Mobile QR Payment
In daily life:
- Phones replace wallets
- QR codes replace cash and cards
- Payment confirmation is digital, not printed
- Speed matters more than discussion
This applies everywhere from luxury malls to street vendors.
Two QR Flows You Must Know
There are only two payment actions:
- Scan → you scan the merchant’s QR
- Pay → the cashier scans your QR
Using the wrong one is the #1 cause of confusion.
👉 Read: QR code payment basics
Which Wallet to Use (Simple Rules)
- Install both: Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Formal places → try Alipay first
- Small local places → try WeChat Pay first
- If one fails once → switch immediately
- If both fail → use cash
There is no single “best” wallet.
👉 Read: Alipay vs WeChat Pay
Setting Up Payment (Do This Before You Rely on It)
Required Setup Steps
- Install wallets
- Complete identity verification
- Link at least one foreign card
- Locate Scan and Pay screens
- Complete one successful test payment
Skipping the test is the most common mistake.
👉 Read:
Transport Payments (Fully Mobile)
Metro & Bus
- Almost all cities support QR payment
- Most locals use phones, not transport cards
- Cards are optional, not required
👉 Read: Paying for metro and bus
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
- Locals mainly use ride-hailing apps
- Street taxis are harder to find, especially at peak times
- App payment is preferred and smoother
👉 Read: Paying for taxi and Didi
Cash: What You Really Need to Know
- China is nearly cashless
- Most locals do not carry cash
- Cash is accepted but rarely used
- Carry a small amount only as backup
👉 Read:
Cultural Rules That Matter
No Tipping
- China has no tipping culture
- Do not tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels
- Service fees (if any) appear on the bill
👉 Read: Tipping in China
Splitting Bills (AA)
- One person pays first
- Others transfer later
- Do not ask the cashier to split
👉 Read: Splitting bills in China
When Things Go Wrong (Stay Calm)
The Golden Rule
Do not retry blindly. Check bills first. Switch once. Then stop.
Most problems come from repeated taps.
👉 Read:
What Will Feel Strange (But Is Normal)
- Staff refusing cash
- No printed receipt
- No tipping expected
- Everyone paying with phones
- Very few people using ATMs
This is normal modern China.
Final Checklist (Save This)
- Alipay installed, verified, tested
- WeChat Pay installed, verified, tested
- Foreign card linked
- Ride-hailing app installed
- Transport QR activated
- Small backup cash only
- No tipping mindset adopted