China First Day
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LanguageEnglish
EnglishEnglish中文Chinese日本語Japanese한국어Korean
FrançaisFrenchSoon
DeutschGermanSoon
ItalianoItalianSoon
EspañolSpanishSoon
Guides
Payment Setup Guide
Get your phone ready to pay before you land — mobile wallets, cards, cash, and what to do when the scanner says no.
When to read
Three to seven days before departure, then again before leaving the airport.
What it covers
Rules and services change. For anything important — entry, transport, payment, hotels, telecom — double-check with official sources before you travel.
Mobile payment readinessEveryone in China pays with their phone. You should too — but test it before you land, not when a cashier is waiting.SourcesState CouncilBank of ChinaRead detailsBackup payment pathsDon't put all your eggs in one basket. Mobile pay, a physical card, and some cash — that's the combo that gets you through day one.SourcesState CouncilBank of ChinaRead detailsWhere card or cash may still matterMobile pay is king in China, but cards and cash aren't dead. Hotels, airports, and bigger stores usually take cards. Small shops and street food usually don't.SourcesState CouncilBank of ChinaRead detailsWhat to do when payment failsPayment failing isn't the end of the world. Take a breath, try something else, and if that doesn't work, walk somewhere with staff who can help.SourcesState CouncilBank of ChinaRead details