Travel Guide
How to Pay in China — International Traveler's Guide
In China, Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant payment methods — link your card before you go.
Going to China — Best card to use?
Recommendation
KBank Mastercard or SCB Visa — among the lowest FX fees available.
Best payment method: Alipay / WeChat Pay (linked to a credit card)
Compare live fees and rates at the main calculator
Hidden fees when paying abroad
FX Fee (Foreign Transaction Fee)
Fee your bank charges for foreign card use — typically 1.5%–2.5% of the transaction.
Spread
The gap between mid-market rate and the rate your bank actually gives — usually 0.5%–2%.
ATM Fee
Withdrawal fees from both your home bank and the local ATM — combined can reach $5–$10 per transaction.
DCC Markup
Extra markup when you choose to pay in your home currency — often 3%–10% above the true market rate.
What is DCC and why should you avoid it?
DCC = Dynamic Currency Conversion
This is when a merchant or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency instead of the local currency. It sounds convenient, but the exchange rate is set by the merchant — which is typically 3%–10% worse than the true market rate.
✋ Always decline DCC — pay in CNY only
Many merchants in China offer to charge in your home currency — always decline and choose to pay in CNY.
Typical Tourist Cost Example
Example: Withdrawing CNY 500.00
This example shows how ATM fees and foreign transaction fees can increase your travel costs.
💡 Tip: Withdraw larger amounts fewer times to reduce ATM fees.
Compare rates for China
Use our calculator to compare real-time fees and rates across banks.
Compare banks for China →Money-saving tips for China
- 1.Register Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure and link your credit card.
- 2.Scan-to-pay QR codes work almost everywhere in China — carry minimal cash.
- 3.If you need cash, withdraw CNY from ATMs that support UnionPay (available at airports).
- 4.Choose a bank with a low FX fee such as KBank or SCB.
- 5.Always check the rate before swiping — never accept billing in your home currency (DCC).
🚫 What to avoid
Never accept DCC when paying by card at merchants or hotels in China.
Popular Attractions in China
Great Wall of China (Mutianyu)
Most scenic and well-preserved section of the Great Wall with cable car access and far fewer crowds than Badaling.
Foreign cards rarely work on-site — bring cash CNY. WeChat Pay and Alipay accepted at some stalls.
Forbidden City
World's largest palace complex with 9,999 rooms and 600 years of imperial history at the heart of Beijing.
Tickets must be booked online via WeChat Pay or Alipay — foreign cards are often declined.
Terracotta Army
Over 8,000 life-size clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor — a UNESCO World Heritage site in Xi'an.
Cash CNY or local payment apps accepted. Bring a VPN for Google Maps navigation en route.
The Bund, Shanghai
Iconic 1.5km waterfront promenade of heritage colonial buildings facing the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.
Bund restaurants and cafes settle bills via Alipay/WeChat Pay or cash CNY — have both ready.
West Lake, Hangzhou
Serene lake immortalized in classical Chinese poetry with pagodas, willow-lined causeways, and Dragon Well tea gardens nearby.
Boat ticket booths accept cash; nearby tea houses often use QR code payment apps.
Festivals & Events
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
15 days (Jan/Feb, lunar calendar)
The world's largest annual migration. Streets fill with lanterns, fireworks, and lion dances, but many shops and restaurants close for up to two weeks as millions of people travel home.
💰 Price impact: All prices 2–3× higher
Travel tip: Domestic transport is extremely congested and booked solid. Many businesses close for 1–2 weeks. Budget travellers should avoid China during this period — all prices 2–3× higher.
Dragon Boat Festival
3 days
Colourful dragon boat races on rivers and lakes across China. Traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are eaten nationwide. Race venues are festive but manageable.
Travel tip: A public holiday with moderate travel. Chengdu and Guilin are excellent choices to combine the races with sightseeing. Most tourist sites remain open and accessible.
Mid-Autumn Festival
3 days
Families reunite to eat mooncakes and admire the full moon. Lantern displays light up parks and public squares. A public holiday, but more relaxed than the two Golden Weeks.
Travel tip: Moderate travel period. Most tourist sites are open and accessible. Mooncake gift boxes make excellent edible souvenirs — look for premium brands in department stores.
National Day Golden Week
7 days (Oct 1–7)
China's October 1 national holiday triggers one of the world's biggest travel surges. Major attractions like the Great Wall and West Lake reach capacity every day.
💰 Price impact: Hotels & transport 2× higher
Travel tip: Second busiest period after Spring Festival. Tourist sites are overwhelmingly crowded. Book accommodation weeks ahead and consider lesser-known cities.