Paying for Things in Beijing: WeChat, Alipay and Cash

Beijing runs on phone payments — QR codes everywhere, from taxis to temple tickets. Good news: Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept foreign Visa/Mastercard with passport verification, and setup takes minutes. Install and verify Alipay before you fly, carry a few hundred yuan cash as backup, and you're covered.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What are the spending limits with a foreign card linked?

Limits have been raised repeatedly and are now generous — recent policy allows around $5,000 per transaction and $50,000 annually for verified foreign users. For normal tourism you'll never touch them; big-ticket shopping (jade, electronics) may still be cheaper via card-present or cash negotiation.

Can I use my foreign credit card with Alipay and WeChat Pay?

Yes — both apps accept international Visa, Mastercard, JCB and others, linked with passport verification that's now largely automated and quick. Transactions of 200 CNY or under carry no foreign-card fee; larger ones incur roughly a 3% surcharge, so split big purchases when you can.

Is cash still accepted in Beijing?

Legally yes — merchants must accept RMB and enforcement has recently gotten stricter — but practically, small vendors may grimace and taxi drivers may lack change. Carry 300-500 CNY in smallish notes for market stalls, tips-adjacent moments, and phone-dead emergencies. ATMs at major banks take foreign cards.

Are there places where foreign cards physically work?

Directly swiping a foreign card works at hotels, high-end restaurants, and big malls — and that's about it. Ordinary restaurants, cafes, and shops are QR-code-first. Don't plan a Beijing trip around point-of-sale card acceptance; plan it around Alipay.

Can I pay for the subway and buses with these apps?

Yes — add the Beijing transit QR code inside Alipay (or use the official Yitongxing mini-program) and scan through the gates directly; fares run about 3-9 CNY by distance. Alternatively, buy a physical Yikatong transit card with cash at station kiosks.

What if my phone dies or the QR code won't scan?

This is why the cash reserve exists. Also screenshot your hotel's name in Chinese, carry a power bank (essential — payment, tickets, translation, and maps all live in your phone), and know that metro staffed windows sell tickets for cash.

How do tourist attractions take payment?

Almost all major sights require online advance booking through official websites or WeChat mini-programs, paid inside the app — the Forbidden City, National Museum, and Tiananmen all work this way with passport-number registration. This is the single biggest reason to get payments working before you arrive.

Alipay or WeChat Pay — which should I set up?

Set up both, lead with Alipay — its foreign-user experience (translation, mini-apps for transit and taxis) is smoother, and its Didi ride-hailing mini-program alone justifies it. WeChat Pay is the backup for the occasional vendor who only takes WeChat, plus you'll want WeChat anyway for bookings.