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Prepare a mobile wallet and a separate backup before travelling. A linked card is useful, but you should still be ready to pay another way.
Build a simple payment setup
Official guidance lists mobile wallets, bank cards and RMB cash as payment options. Alipay and WeChat Pay support linking eligible international cards; compatible ATMs can provide RMB cash. Acceptance depends on the product and merchant.
Our recommendation for a short trip is to prepare one main wallet, a second payment method and a small cash reserve. Keep the backup somewhere you can reach without relying on a working phone.
| Option | Prepare before you need it |
|---|---|
| Mobile wallet | Register, complete the requested checks and link your own card. |
| Physical bank card | Check overseas use, ATM access and your issuer’s support number. |
| RMB cash | Carry some smaller notes and ask about change before ordering. |
Make your first payment unhurried
- Choose a small purchase when neither you nor the cashier is in a rush.
- Ask which payment method the merchant accepts before scanning anything.
- Check the recipient and amount shown on your phone. Use the merchant’s official payment code.
- Confirm the result with the cashier. Keep the receipt or transaction record until the purchase is settled.
Do not share your card PIN, account password or one-time security code with someone offering to help.
If the payment fails
First check whether your wallet or bank already shows a completed or pending transaction. Avoid immediately paying the same bill again while its status is unclear.
If there is no completed charge, ask to try your backup method. Save the error message for your bank or wallet support team. Repeatedly scanning the same code is unlikely to explain whether the problem is the card, account, network or merchant.
For setup and error categories, use our Alipay and WeChat Pay guide.
A phrase for your cash backup
我可以用现金付款吗？
“Can I pay in cash?” Show this before the purchase if your phone is unavailable. For a large hotel deposit or other significant payment, ask the business in advance which methods it accepts.