Cash is not king here
You've arrived in Beijing, you're at a street food stall, and the vendor holds out a QR code instead of waiting for cash. Welcome to China in the 2020s. Mobile payments are not just common here: they're the default. Many vendors no longer carry change, and some won't accept cash at all.
For anyone learning Chinese, this is actually great news: understanding how payments work gives you a natural reason to practice real Chinese in real situations. This guide covers everything you need: the two dominant apps, what to say at the counter, and how to make sure you're never stuck.
The two apps that run China
Forget Visa. Forget Mastercard. In China, two apps handle the vast majority of all consumer payments: from luxury shopping malls in Shanghai to a bowl of noodles at a roadside stall in Xi'an.
How does it actually work?
Both systems work in the same fundamental way: QR codes. There are two directions a payment can go, and you'll encounter both.
You scan them (扫码付款 · sǎo mǎ fùkuǎn)
The vendor shows a static QR code, often printed on a sign, a sticker, or a little stand on the counter. You open your app, tap "scan," and point your phone at it. You enter the amount yourself (or confirm the amount they type in), and done. This is common at markets, small restaurants, and street food stalls.
They scan you (收款码 · shōukuǎn mǎ)
You open your app and show your personal payment QR code on screen. The vendor scans it with their device. You don't need to do anything except show the code. The amount is deducted automatically. This is common in supermarkets, convenience stores, and chain restaurants.
Key phrases at the checkout
These are the phrases you will hear and use at virtually every payment situation in China. Learn them cold before your trip.
Real scenarios: with dialogue
Let's put those phrases into context. Here are three typical situations you'll encounter in China.
Payment vocabulary: full reference
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 付款 | fùkuǎn | to make a payment |
| 收款 | shōukuǎn | to receive payment |
| 二维码 | èrwéimǎ | QR code (literally: two-dimensional code) |
| 扫码 | sǎo mǎ | scan a QR code |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 零钱 | língqián | small change / loose coins |
| 人民币 | rénmínbì | RMB, the Chinese currency (literally: people's currency) |
| 元 / 块 | yuán / kuài | yuan, the main unit (块 is informal) |
| 角 / 毛 | jiǎo / máo | jiao, 0.1 yuan (毛 is informal) |
| 发票 | fāpiào | receipt / official invoice |
| 退款 | tuìkuǎn | refund |
| 转账 | zhuǎnzhàng | bank transfer |
| 余额 | yú'é | balance (in your account/wallet) |
| 充值 | chōngzhí | to top up (a card, app wallet) |
Can foreigners use WeChat Pay & Alipay?
This used to be a major headache, but both apps have worked hard to make it easier for international visitors. Here's the current situation.
Alipay: the easier option for foreigners
Alipay has an international version of the app that allows you to link a foreign Visa or Mastercard directly. You can use it for most payments without needing a Chinese bank account. This is the most straightforward option for tourists and short-term visitors.
WeChat Pay
WeChat Pay now also allows foreign cards to be linked, though the process can be more involved. Since most people already use WeChat to communicate with Chinese contacts, it's worth setting up before you leave home.
What about cash?
Don't abandon cash entirely. While mobile payments dominate, there are situations where you'll still want it: some older local restaurants, rural areas, certain temples and historical sites, and as a backup if your app has an issue.
China's currency is the 人民币 (rénmínbì, RMB), and the main unit is the 元 (yuán), though in speech everyone says 块 (kuài). Bring enough yuan in cash to cover two or three days as a safety net.
5 things that will surprise you about paying in China
The traditional red envelope given as a gift during Chinese New Year has gone digital. Sending and receiving 红包 (hóngbāo) via WeChat is enormously popular: both as actual gifts and as a fun game where random amounts are shared in group chats. If you're in a Chinese WeChat group, expect to see this.
Unlike in many Western countries, tap water (自来水, zìláishuǐ) is rarely served free in Chinese restaurants. You'll typically order hot tea (热茶, rè chá) or bottled water. A useful phrase: 有免费的水吗？(Yǒu miǎnfèi de shuǐ ma? Meaning: is there free water?)
7-Eleven and FamilyMart stores in China often have ATMs that accept foreign cards, and you can sometimes top up app wallets at the till. They're a useful backup when you need cash in a hurry. Say: 有ATM吗？(Yǒu ATM ma? Meaning: is there an ATM?)
Going Dutch is called AA制 (AA zhì) in Chinese, from the English "AA." Splitting via WeChat is instant: one person pays, then requests the others' shares directly in the app. The phrase 我们AA吧 (Wǒmen AA ba, meaning: let's split it) is completely normal.
If you shop online in China, you'll use 淘宝 (Táobǎo) or 京东 (Jīngdōng, JD.com), and Alipay is deeply integrated into both. Delivery (快递, kuàidì, literally "express mail") in Chinese cities can arrive same-day. The word for shopping cart is 购物车 (gòuwù chē).
Before you go: payment prep checklist
- Download Alipay International and link your foreign debit/credit card before departure
- Set up WeChat Pay as a backup (link a card or ask a Chinese contact to top up your account)
- Exchange some RMB cash at home or at the airport : aim for ¥500–1,000 as a backup
- Memorise 一共多少钱？(How much in total?) and 可以扫码吗？(Can I scan a QR code?), you'll use both daily
- Tell your home bank you're traveling to China to avoid card blocks
- Note: VPN usage affects some app functionality. Research this before you travel