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China is a Cashless Society
This is not an exaggeration: over 90% of consumer transactions in urban China are digital. From Michelin-star restaurants to street-side fruit stands, from taxi drivers to the smallest mom-and-pop noodle shop — everyone uses QR code payment. Cash is rarely seen, and many smaller businesses simply cannot make change. You will even find QR codes at temples for donations.
The good news: as of 2024-2026, Alipay and WeChat Pay have significantly improved foreigner support. You can now link international Visa and Mastercard directly to Alipay without a Chinese bank account. This was the missing piece that made China travel infinitely easier for international visitors.
⚠ Without Alipay or WeChat Pay, You Are Stranded
This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a daily crisis. Without mobile payment: you cannot buy a bottle of water at most convenience stores (they prefer QR), you cannot order food delivery (Meituan and Ele.me require Alipay/WeChat), you cannot ride the metro (QR code transit passes), you cannot use shared bikes, and many restaurants will not serve you because they only accept QR code orders. Some restaurants have even removed cash registers entirely. Set up Alipay before you land — it takes 15 minutes and will save you from hours of frustration.
Alipay Setup: 5 Steps for Foreigners
Alipay is the number one payment app in China. It works at virtually every merchant — from department stores to street stalls. Here is how to set it up:
Download Alipay
Download the Alipay app from your phone's app store (iOS App Store or Google Play). If Google Play is not available, use APKPure or the official website. The app name is "Alipay" with a blue icon.
Sign Up with Your Phone Number
Open the app and register with your home country phone number. Alipay accepts international numbers. You will receive an SMS verification code. Set a 6-digit payment PIN — this is critical; it will be used for every transaction.
Verify Your Identity (Passport)
Go to "Me" → settings gear → Account & Security → Identity Verification. Upload a photo of your passport information page. Alipay also requires a selfie for biometric verification. This process takes 1-24 hours for approval. Do this before your trip.
Add Your Foreign Bank Card
Once verified, go to "Me" → Bank Cards → Add Card. Enter your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex details. Alipay supports cards from most countries. You can add multiple cards if needed. Alipay has waived its 3% transaction fee for international cards (cancelled in late 2023), but your card issuer may still charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%). Check with your bank.
Set Your Payment PIN
If you did not set the 6-digit PIN during registration, go to "Me" → settings gear → Payment Settings → Set Payment PIN. Choose a 6-digit number you will remember. This PIN is required for every payment and cannot be reset without your passport.
💡 Pro Tip
Switch the Alipay app language to Chinese briefly when a merchant needs to help you. The QR code scanner is in the same place regardless of language. To pay: tap the big blue "Pay/Collect" button (top-left on the home screen), then show your QR code or scan theirs.
How to Pay with Alipay
There are two payment methods, and both are used daily:
- You scan the merchant's QR code — The more common method. The merchant shows a QR code (usually on a small placard or screen). Open Alipay, tap "Scan", point at the code, enter the amount (if prompted), and confirm with your PIN. Used at restaurants, shops, taxis.
- The merchant scans your QR code — For supermarket checkouts and chain stores. Open Alipay, tap "Pay/Collect" to generate your personal payment QR code, and the cashier scans it. The amount is automatically charged — you just need to confirm with your PIN.
Most transactions complete in under 3 seconds. It is faster than credit card tap-and-go and light years ahead of cash.
⚠ QR Code-Only Ordering (强制扫码点餐)
Here is something that catches almost every foreign visitor off guard: many restaurants in Hangzhou do not have waiters who take your order. Instead, you scan a QR code on the table to view the menu and place your order through WeChat or Alipay. The menu is in Chinese only, there is no English option, and cash payment is often refused. This is standard at mid-range restaurants, hotpot chains (Haidilao, Xiabu Xiabu), bubble tea shops, and even some street food stalls. If you cannot read the menu, use Pleco's OCR camera feature or Alipay's built-in translation tool. Some restaurants have staff who can help foreigners — ask for the menu (菜单) or point at what others are eating.
WeChat Pay — The Backup
WeChat Pay is the second major payment platform. In Hangzhou, Alipay is slightly more universal, but WeChat Pay is close behind. We recommend setting up both:
- Download WeChat (green icon, also called Weixin in Chinese)
- Register with your phone number — international numbers work
- Go to Me → WeChat Pay → Wallet → Cards to add your international card
- Identity verification is similar to Alipay (passport + selfie)
Setup is very similar to Alipay. The main reason to have both: some smaller vendors only accept WeChat Pay, particularly in more local neighborhoods. Additionally, WeChat is the primary messaging app in China, so having WeChat Pay integrated is convenient.
⚠ Note
Both WeChat Pay and Alipay require a Chinese bank card for full functionality (person-to-person transfers, red packets/hongbao, balance top-ups). However, for merchant payments — which is what tourists need most — international cards work on both. WeChat Pay's restrictions are slightly stricter; some users report that certain merchants reject international cards on WeChat Pay but accept them on Alipay. Set up Alipay first, then try WeChat Pay as backup. If WeChat Pay blocks your international card, Alipay alone is sufficient for 95% of situations.
When You Need Cash
Despite the dominance of digital payment, keep approximately 300-500 RMB (roughly $40-70 USD) in cash for these edge cases:
- Small street vendors — Some elderly vendors at tourist sites and rural tea villages still prefer cash, though this is rapidly declining
- Public toilet entrance fees — Yes, some public toilets charge 1-2 RMB; they will not accept QR codes
- Lingyin Temple donations and incense — Cash is preferred at temple donation boxes and for purchasing incense sticks
- Emergency backup — If your phone dies or you lose internet connectivity
- Deposit for bike rentals — Some traditional bike rental shops require a cash deposit
Getting cash: ATMs at Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank accept foreign cards (look for the Visa/Mastercard logo). Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport has ATMs in the arrivals hall. Hotels can also exchange currency, but rates are poor.
Credit Card Acceptance
Let me save you the trouble: do not count on using your physical credit card. Outside of 5-star international hotels and high-end shopping malls (Hangzhou Tower, INtime Mall), foreign credit cards are essentially useless. Local restaurants, taxis, metro stations, convenience stores, and small shops simply do not have the terminal infrastructure to accept Visa or Mastercard.
The only reliable places for physical cards:
- International hotel chains (Four Seasons, Shangri-La, Marriott, Hyatt) — they accept Visa/MC for the room deposit and bill
- Large department stores (Hangzhou Tower, Intime, Wulin Yintai) — some counters accept foreign cards
- The airport — duty-free shops and some restaurants accept Visa/MC
Do bring one credit card as backup and for hotel deposits, but your Alipay QR code will be your actual payment method 95% of the time.
FAQ
What if my Alipay account gets blocked?
This happens occasionally if Alipay's fraud detection flags unusual spending patterns. If blocked, you can appeal through the app (requires passport photo re-upload) or call Alipay's customer service at +86-571-95188 (primarily Chinese-language service; English support may be limited). This is why having both Alipay and WeChat Pay set up is valuable — you have a fallback.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Apple Pay works in China but requires a Chinese bank card. Foreign-issued Apple Pay cards will not work at most Chinese POS terminals. Google Pay is not supported in mainland China at all.
Is it safe to link my bank card to Alipay?
Yes. Alipay is operated by Ant Group, one of the world's largest fintech companies. It has bank-grade security, and Chinese financial regulations are stringent. Your main cost concern is your card issuer's foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%), not security.