Backup payment paths
Don'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.
What to do
- 1
Keep a physical card (Visa/Mastercard) separate from your phone. If you lose one, you still have the other.
- 2
Know where to get cash: airport ATMs (look for UnionPay/Visa logos), exchange counters, or Bank of China branches.
- 3
Hotel front desks are your friend. They can help you pay for things, call taxis, or point you to an ATM.
- 4
Don't spend your only working payment method on something optional before you've reached your hotel.
Double-check before you rely on this
You've told your bank you're traveling (so they don't block your card in China).
You know your card PIN and daily withdrawal limit.
You can pay for a taxi, metro, water, and a meal even if your phone dies.