Paying for Things: Cards, Cash & Mobile Payment

Beyond the hospital bill, you’ll pay for hotels, food, and transport. Here’s how payments work.

Your payment options

• Alipay / WeChat Pay (mobile): the dominant payment method in China. Most places accept it, and both apps now support linking foreign credit/debit cards.
• International cards (Visa/Mastercard): accepted at hotels, many restaurants, and the international hospital departments — but less universal than mobile pay.
• Cash (RMB): still useful as a backup; exchange some at the airport or a bank.

Practical tips

• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive and link your card — it makes daily spending easy.
• Carry some cash for small vendors that may not take cards.
• Keep receipts — useful for insurance reimbursement (see our insurance guide).

💡 We help: We guide you on setting up mobile payment and what to carry.