Can I Use My Credit Card in China? Visa, Mastercard and Amex

The short version

Your foreign credit or debit card will work in China, but not everywhere.

• Cards usually work: international and mid-range hotels, major tourist attractions, big department stores and malls, international chains, airports, and train ticket offices.
• Cards often don’t work: small restaurants, noodle shops, street food, markets, convenience store chains in smaller cities, and taxis.
• The workaround: link your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay. You then pay by QR code almost anywhere, and the charge still goes on your own card.

Bring two cards on different networks (for example a Visa and a Mastercard), tell your bank you are traveling, and carry some RMB cash as a backup.

Where foreign cards are accepted

In 2024, the People’s Bank of China and other agencies required these places to accept both Chinese and foreign bank cards:

• Three-star and above tourist hotels
• 4A and 5A tourist attractions (China’s top-rated sights)
• National and provincial tourist resorts and leisure districts

Major attractions must also keep ticket counters with staff, and many have currency exchange nearby.

In practice, this is what to expect:

Look for the logo. A card is accepted when the checkout shows the logo of your card network. UnionPay cards can be used at all merchant card terminals in China.

Which card should you bring?

For most travelers, the best choice is:

1. A Visa or Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fee as your main card.
2. A second card on a different network or from a different bank, in case the first one is blocked.
3. A debit card for ATM cash.

If your bank offers a UnionPay card, it is useful in China but not essential.

Credit card, debit card or prepaid card?

• Credit cards are the most reliable, both at card terminals and when you link them to Alipay or WeChat.
• Debit cards usually work at ATMs and many terminals, but are declined more often when linking to mobile wallets.
• Prepaid, virtual and some fintech cards are the most likely to be refused. Test them before your trip and do not rely on them alone.

Tap to pay, Apple Pay and Google Pay

Some card terminals in China accept contactless foreign Visa and Mastercard cards, mostly at international hotels, airports and chains in large cities. Where a terminal accepts contactless foreign cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay may also work. Treat this as a bonus, not a plan. Many terminals are set up for UnionPay and Chinese mobile wallets only.

Know your PIN

Card terminals in China often ask for a PIN, even for credit cards. If you normally sign or tap, check your PIN with your bank before you leave. You will also need it for ATMs.

Always pay in RMB

If a terminal or ATM asks whether to charge you in your home currency or in RMB (CNY), choose RMB. This choice is called dynamic currency conversion. Paying in your home currency lets the merchant’s bank set the exchange rate, and it is usually worse than your own card’s rate.

Fees to expect

A card with no foreign transaction fee saves real money on a two-week trip. Check your bank’s terms before you go.

Using your card through Alipay or WeChat Pay

This is how most visitors pay for everyday things in China. You link your foreign card once. Then you scan a shop’s QR code, or show your own, and the payment is charged to your card.

Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club and UnionPay. Limits, fees and identity checks depend on the wallet. For step-by-step setup and fixes for declined cards, see Alipay for foreigners and the overview How to pay in China.

Cash and ATMs

Cash is legal tender and still useful as a backup.

• Bringing cash: each traveler can carry up to RMB 20,000 in Chinese cash into or out of China each time. Foreign cash above the equivalent of US$5,000 should be declared to customs.
• ATMs: you can withdraw RMB with a foreign card at ATMs that show your card network’s logo. Machines of major banks in cities, airports and train stations are the most reliable. Each machine and card has its own limits, so a large amount may need several withdrawals.
• Exchanging money: you can exchange foreign currency at bank branches, licensed money changers and exchange machines at international airports and other entry ports. Bring your passport.
• Small notes: banks can give you small RMB notes on request, including ready-made packs of mixed notes. Small notes are handy for markets and tips.
• Check your notes: fake 100-yuan notes exist. Look at large notes you are given, and pay by phone where you can.

Booking trains, flights and hotels with a foreign card

• Trains: China Railway’s official 12306 English website and app accept foreign bank cards, and so do ticket offices at stations. You book with your passport. See China trains.
• Flights and hotels: international booking sites and the airlines’ own websites accept foreign cards. Hotels may take a card pre-authorization (a deposit hold) when you check in.
• Attractions: many sights sell tickets through Chinese booking systems or mini-programs. Some accept foreign cards or Alipay, others need a Chinese phone number. Book through an English platform or ask your hotel if one fails.

When your card is declined

Save your bank’s international phone number and make sure its app works over Wi-Fi. Many bank verification codes are sent by text message to your home number, so keep that number active in China.

Before you go: card checklist

• Tell your bank you are traveling to China, or check that overseas payments are turned on in the app
• Bring two cards from different networks or banks
• Use a card with no foreign transaction fee as your main card
• Know the PIN for every card
• Link at least one card to Alipay and, if you can, WeChat Pay
• Keep your home SIM active for bank verification texts
• Carry some RMB cash in small notes
• Save your bank’s international contact number offline

If you would rather not manage payments across several cities, our free trip planning service can help you plan where prepaid bookings make sense.