Ⅰ Visa | Policy
Do you need a visa for China?
Learn about the latest policy now.
Ⅴ Pay | Tax
Payment service and tax refund policy for overseas visitors.
Ⅱ Travel Essentials
A list of items that are easy to overlook and overlooked but you’ll definitely need while traveling in China
Ⅲ Travel Resources
Must-have apps in china for traveling and travel resources sharing.
Ⅳ Domestic Transportation
Intercity and intracity public transportation. And self-diving tour tips
Ⅴ Pay | Tax
Payment service and tax refund policy for overseas visitors.
Ⅵ Health | Safety
Medical Treatment and Purchasing Medication Call the police for help Emergency Contact Tap Water Extreme Weather Warnings Tips for Female Travelers Medical treatment flowchart International
Ⅶ Culture | Law
Laws & Regulations and a complete Guide to travel culture and etiquette in China.
We 100% recommend making mobile payment your first choice.
China is now a thoroughly cashless society, with over 95% of merchants supporting QR code payments (even roadside pancake stalls, temple donation boxes, and street performers accept mobile payments).
You might not be fully accustomed to online payment at first, but once you experience its convenience (no need to exchange for small change, no risk of counterfeit currency, exclusive discounts, etc.), we believe you will definitely fall in love with mobile payment.
mobile payment
Digital payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are also widely accepted in China. As WeChat’s identity verification process can be more complex, we recommend first-time visitors to China use Alipay app’s “TourPass” feature.
- Download the overseas version of the Alipay app to your smartphone.
- Apply for an electronic spending card through the “TourPass” applet in the app,verify your identity and then add an overseas bank card to top it up.
- The card can then be used to make payments across the country wherever a blue Alipay QR code is displayed, allowing you to experience China like a local, paying for anything from fruit and veg to dinners, hotel bills, and travel tickets with just the mobile phone in your hand.
On Alipay, if you complete passport-based real-name authentication and link a credit card, you can unlock more online functionalities, such as booking and money transfers.
cash
Due to the popularity of mobile payment, using cash often leads to unexpected issues, such as merchants not having small change.
Although mobile payment is widespread, a very small number of small vendors and temple ticket offices may only accept cash. It is recommended to have ¥200-¥500 RMB in cash for emergencies.
Most Convenient Options for Withdrawing/Exchanging RMB Cash in China:
1. Self-Service Machines (ATMs/CRS) —— 24/7 Instant Access
- Priority Option: Insert your international debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) at an ATM labeled “支持境外卡” (Supports Foreign Cards).
- Capability: Withdraw RMB directly; 90%+ machines accept major foreign cards (daily limit: ¥3,000-¥10,000).
- Fee Warning: Expect 3-5%service charge (手续费) from both your home bank and Chinese banks.
- Hotspots: Available at airports, metro stations, and shopping malls.
2. Currency Exchange Machines —— Instant Processing
- How it Works: Insert foreign cash (USD, EUR, JPY, etc.) and a valid passport into digital kiosks for automatic conversion.
- Speed: Transaction completed in 2 minutes; offers real-timeexchange rate (汇率).
- Locations: Airports (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong) and major train stations.
- Limits: Max ¥20,000 per transaction; USD bills must be 2006版 or newer.
3. Franchised Currency Exchange Counters —— Competitive Rates
- Providers: Bank of China（中国银行） or licensed operators (e.g., ICE).
- Advantages: Spreads (buy-sell gap) as low as 0.8% vs. hotels’ 5-15%.
- Documents: Passport + completed declaration form for amounts over $5,000.
- Where to Find: Airports’ Arrival Halls, tourist zones (Shanghai Bund, Beijing Wangfujing).
4. Hotel Front Desk Exchange —— Emergency Option
- Convenience: Available on-site but rates usually 5-10% worse than banks.
- Use Case: Only recommend for urgent small amounts (e.g., late-night taxi fare).
5. Bank Branches —— Lowest Priority
- Why Last?: Require in-person visits during business hours (9am-5pm weekdays), complex paperwork, and potential appointment delays.
- If Necessary: Search “forex bank near me” on Baidu Maps(百度地图) or Alipay.
Before departure, notify your home bank to activate overseas withdrawal.
For optimal rates, avoid weekends (markets closed; hotels/banks widen spreads).
bank card
Overseas Bank Cards with logos like Visa, Mastercard, and JCB are widely accepted throughout China, including at airports, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, tourist sites, and exhibition halls.
Chinese bank cards with UnionPay are accepted at all merchants with POS terminals.
In China, fewer people have the habit of frequently using bank cards. If you want to explore more interesting local small shops, relying solely on bank cards might present some inconveniences.
Contact your bank to confirm that your card works in mainland China. Certain cards may require prior authorization from the issuer.
01. Eligibility
Visitors from overseas, as well as from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, who leave mainland China via a designated port of departure.
Visitors must have been in mainland China for no more than 183 consecutive days before the departure date.
02. Requirements
A minimum purchase of 500 RMB in a single tax-free shop on one day.
The goods must be new and unused.
The purchase date of the tax-refundable goods must be no more than 90 days before the departure date.
03.Refund Rate
Tax is refunded at a rate of 11% of the total price (including VAT).
A 2% administration fee will be deducted by the tax refund agency.
- Refund Method:
Refund is provided in RMB.
Refund can be made either in cash or via bank transfer.
If the refund exceeds 10,000 RMB, it must be paid by bank transfer.
For further details, refer to the State Taxation Administration website.
Service Numbers
State Taxation Administration：
