Where card or cash may still matter
Mobile 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.
What to do
- 1
Hotels, airports, banks, and chain stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) usually accept cards. Go there when mobile pay fails.
- 2
Keep small bills (¥10, ¥20) for water, snacks, or short taxi rides when your phone isn't cooperating.
- 3
If card/cash is your only option, ask before you order or get in the car. Saves awkwardness.
- 4
Keep receipts if a payment looks weird or might have double-charged you.
Double-check before you rely on this
Your card network (Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay) works in China.
Cash is stored separately from your passport and main card — don't keep everything in one place.
If all digital payments fail, you know where to go (hotel lobby, bank, airport counter).