How should I pay in China?

Forget “just bring cash” or “Alipay does everything”. The honest answer is a combination — let's figure out yours.

✓ 6 payment methods covered✓ Personalized combination✓ No sign-up

How long is your trip to China?

The short version (if you skip the tool)

For 95% of travelers: Set up Alipay Tour Pass before you fly. It works at nearly every merchant in China and accepts your Visa/Mastercard.

Carry some cash too. ¥300-1000 depending on trip length and how off-grid you'll go. Cash saves you when signal drops or a small vendor doesn't take mobile.

Don't rely on your home Visa/Mastercard. It works at premium hotels and the airport — and almost nowhere else.

Long trip or fee-conscious? Apply for a Wise or Revolut card 2+ weeks before flying. Use it to top up Alipay Tour Pass and save ~80% on conversion fees.

How this works. Payment recommendations come from a hand-tuned rule engine — not an AI model. The strategy you get is deterministic and consistent for the same inputs.

Sources. Coverage and fee data from Alipay official documentation, WeChat Pay international, and our own merchant testing in Shanghai.

Affiliate disclosure. If you sign up for Wise or Revolut through our link, GetShanghai may earn a small referral commission. Our recommendation does not change based on affiliate status — Wise is recommended because the math works, not because of the referral.