Payment Methods You Need to Know Before Traveling to China
China is one of the famous great ancient civilizations, an old country full of beauty and fascination. It has complex and varied terrains, rich and diverse natural resources, long and brilliant history and culture, magnificent and enchanting sceneries. Therefore, having many people from over the world come there to witness their strength, beauty, and an impossibly hard language, every year.
Moreover, China is known as “is living the future because you can do almost everything with a smartphone“. But how effective is this for travelers? We have listed some payment methods in China to help you have a good time when traveling there.
Pay in Cash — the Most Valid Option
Paying in cash is the most common payment method for travelers and is accepted in every corner of China; especially in smaller cities and outside of touristy areas. Therefore, if you want to explore rural areas, cash is the main way to pay.
How to Get Chinese Money?
Currency Exchange
before Your Trip: Let’s exchange about 20,000 CNY (~3,150 USD) at your local bank or the airport before you go to China. It’s more convenient than changing your notes in China because you will not be confused by the language barrier.
Exchange Your Currency in China
You can also take about 5,000 USD or other common currency (such as British pounds, Japanese yen, or euros) to China to exchange. Before you go to a bank in China, you’d better prepare what you need to communicate and write it on a piece of paper in Chinese in advance so that you can show it to the staff.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
Many places in China, including hotels, upscale restaurants, and foreign brand-name stores accept credit cards, so it is worth bringing your credit card with you. Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro are all widely accepted in big cities in China.
Please consult your bank or credit card company about whether you can use your card in China and if it will incur a fee. Then, finding the ATM you can use according to your bank card. It takes about a 3% fee will be charged on the withdrawn amount. If you have a Chinese bank card, you can withdraw at every ATM. You can find ATMs easily in the city center, such as shopping malls and office buildings.
You should also let your bank back home know that you will be using your card in China; otherwise, your transactions might be flagged as unusual activity and your card may get blocked.
Popular Mobile Payment
Mobile payment in China is surprisingly advanced, widely used, and you can see the payment QR code almost everywhere. For foreign travelers, however, it may not be a good choice. If you only have a short trip to China, it’s not worth doing this. If you have a long journey in China or simply want to experience the mobile payment method then it’s essential you try it.
The two most common platforms are Alipay and WeChat. QR codes for mobile payments everywhere from taxis to street food stalls, making it a very convenient way to pay. Many younger people have essentially completely abandoned cash.
Follow these steps for setting up mobile payment:
- Download the Alipay or WeChat apps.
- Acquire a bank card in China using your valid passport.
- Link your Chinese bank card with your smartphone.
- Prepare a translation app or some common phrases that you can use with it when you make payments.
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