Payment guide
Step-by-step setup for mobile payment in China
95% of payments in Shanghai are mobile
Cash is rarely used. Setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay is the single most important thing you can do when you arrive. Most foreigners set up Alipay first — it has better international card support.
Need a Chinese phone number for Alipay/WeChat Pay? See SIM Card Guide
Set up Alipay (支付宝)
Before you start:
- •Download Alipay from the App Store or Google Play
- •Have your passport ready for identity verification
- •A Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Diners Club card
Open Alipay and select English
Tap the globe icon on the login screen to switch to English. Select 'Sign Up' and choose 'Non-mainland China user'.
Register with your phone number
Enter your non-China mobile number with country code. You'll receive an SMS verification code. If SMS doesn't arrive, try the voice call option.
Complete identity verification
Go to Me → My Profile → Identity Verification. Select 'Passport' and scan or photograph your passport info page. Facial recognition may be required.
Add your international bank card
Go to Me → Bank Cards → Add Card. Enter your Visa/Mastercard details. The card must support online international transactions.
Try your first payment
Open the Scan/Pay screen (big blue button on home page). Scan a merchant QR code or show your payment code to the cashier. Start with a small purchase to verify it works.
Enable transit QR code (optional)
Search 'Transport' in Alipay → select your city (Shanghai) → activate metro QR code. You can now scan to ride the metro without a physical card.
Pro tip: Alipay Tour Pass lets you preload up to ¥2,000 from your international card. It works like a prepaid balance so you don't need a Chinese bank account.
Set up WeChat Pay (微信支付)
Before you start:
- •Download WeChat and create an account first
- •Have your passport ready
- •A Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card
Open WeChat and go to Pay
Tap Me (bottom right) → Services / Pay. If you see 'Enable WeChat Pay', tap it to start setup.
Verify your identity
Select 'I don't have a Chinese ID' → choose Passport → take a photo of your passport info page. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
Add your international card
Tap Wallet → Cards → Add Card. Enter your Visa or Mastercard details. WeChat now supports international cards for direct payments in China.
Set a 6-digit payment PIN
Create a 6-digit numeric PIN. You'll enter this for every payment. Don't use your birthday or simple sequences — this PIN protects your money.
Make a test payment
Tap the + button (top right) → Scan QR Code at any store. Or tap Me → Services → Money to show your payment barcode to the cashier.
Pro tip: WeChat Pay is especially useful because everyone in China uses WeChat for messaging. You can pay friends, split bills, and send red packets (红包) directly in chats.
Cash & ATMs (现金与ATM)
Where to exchange currency (换汇)
- •Airport exchange counters (both Pudong & Hongqiao) — convenient but worst rates, fine for small amounts
- •Bank of China (中国银行) branches — best official rate, bring passport, open Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM
- •ICBC (工商银行) — also good rates, widely available throughout Shanghai
- •Avoid unofficial exchange shops — they are illegal in China and may give counterfeit bills
ATM locations (取款机)
- •ICBC (工商银行) — most ATMs in China, look for the red/white logo. Best international card support
- •Bank of China (中国银行) — blue logo, excellent for foreign cards, often near tourist areas
- •China Merchants Bank (招商银行) — orange logo, reliable for Visa/Mastercard withdrawals
- •ATM fees: typically ¥10–20 per withdrawal + your bank's foreign ATM fee. Withdraw larger amounts to minimize fees
- •Daily ATM limit: usually ¥2,500–10,000 per card depending on your home bank
Which bills to carry (钞票面额)
- •¥100 (red) — largest bill, some small shops hesitate to accept. Useful for taxis and larger purchases
- •¥50 (green) — widely accepted everywhere, good all-purpose bill
- •¥20 (brown) and ¥10 (blue) — perfect for street food, small shops, and tips for delivery drivers
- •¥5 and ¥1 coins/notes — keep a handful for vending machines and parking
- •Tip: carry a mix of ¥10, ¥20, and ¥50 bills — small vendors often can't break ¥100
Where cards work vs mobile-only
Most places accept mobile pay. Cards and cash acceptance varies.
Troubleshooting
General tips
- Set up Alipay BEFORE arriving if possible — do it at the airport WiFi if not
- Keep ¥200-500 cash as emergency backup (ATMs at ICBC, Bank of China, China Merchants Bank accept international cards)
- Tipping is NOT expected in China — don't tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels
- Transaction limits exist for international cards: typically ¥2,000-5,000 per transaction
- Check your bank's foreign transaction fees — some charge 1-3% per transaction
- For stays longer than 1 month, consider opening a Chinese bank account for lower fees
Last updated: March 2026 · Sources: Alipay official, WeChat Pay official