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Your China Visit.

Your China Visit.

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3 sections · 12 cards

Ink-and-wash illustration of a phone, wallet, bank card and teacup in a Shanghai café.

Shanghai field notes / 3 sections · 12 cards

Money & Connectivity

A working phone, a way to pay, a backup plan.

Ways to Pay

5 cards
01High priority

Alipay — Link a bank card

  1. Register Alipay with your mobile number; an overseas number can be used.
  2. Open Me → Bank Cards, add your card and complete the requested verification.
  3. Keep the registered number available for messages and check the displayed fee before paying.
When
Before departure, while you can receive verification texts.
Tips
Card eligibility depends on the network and issuer; linking does not guarantee every purchase.
Sources & notes

Keep your passport available for identity checks. Check fees on the confirmation screen; do not assume a universal 3% rule or split purchases to avoid charges.

Done when: Your chosen card is linked and required checks are complete.

02High priority

WeChat Pay — Link a bank card

  1. Sign in to WeChat with your mobile number.
  2. Open Me → Services → Wallet → Bank Cards and add an eligible card.
  3. Complete the requested checks and review fees on the payment screen.
When
Before departure, while you can receive verification texts.
Tips
App labels may vary; use the account’s own payment setup prompts.
Sources & notes

Done when: Your chosen card appears in Wallet and required checks are complete.

03Medium priority

Bank cards — Pay at the counter

  1. Look for your card network’s logo and ask whether the terminal accepts your overseas card.
  2. Present the card and follow the terminal prompts.
  3. Check the amount and keep the receipt.
When
Before paying by card at a shop or restaurant.
Tips
Acceptance varies by merchant; carry another way to pay.
Sources & notes

Paying directly with a physical card is separate from linking that card to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Carry a physical card and some renminbi in small denominations as backup.

04Medium priority

ATMs — Withdraw renminbi

  1. Choose an ATM displaying your card’s payment network and request a withdrawal in renminbi (RMB).
  2. Review the ATM’s fee and withdrawal limit before confirming.
  3. Take your card, cash and receipt before leaving.
When
When you need cash from your overseas bank card.
Tips
An ATM limit and your bank’s daily limit are separate.
Sources & notes

Your issuer can apply separate overseas fees and limits. Retain the ATM location if you need support.

05Medium priority

Cash — Exchange for renminbi

Look for an EXCHANGE sign at a bank branch or licensed airport exchange point. Ask whether your currency and banknotes are accepted, what identification is required and the final RMB amount after charges. Bring your passport, compare the final amount and keep the receipt.

When
When exchanging foreign cash for renminbi.
Tips
Counter and self-service machine rates can differ.
Sources & notes

Not every branch of a bank offers currency exchange.

Payment Problems

3 cards
06Medium priority

Bank card won’t link?

Note the exact error and whether it concerns account verification, card details or the bank’s confirmation. Check the entered details, then contact in-app support or the issuer through an official channel. Ask whether your card supports the requested use before repeatedly trying to add it.

When
When a payment app cannot link your card.
Tips
Only submit identity documents through the provider’s secure process.
Sources & notes

Repeatedly adding the same card does not resolve an eligibility restriction.

07Medium priority

QR payment — Scan or show?

Ask the cashier whether you should scan their code or show yours. To scan, open Scan in your payment app and check the recipient and amount after scanning the merchant’s code. To be scanned, display your payment code only when you are ready to pay.

When
At a merchant’s QR payment checkout.
Tips
Use a merchant checkout flow; do not assume a personal transfer works the same way.
Sources & notes

我扫您，还是您扫我？ — Should I scan your code, or will you scan mine?

08High priority

Payment pending — Check before retrying

Ask the cashier whether an order exists and what payment result they see. Compare that result with your transaction history and keep the order reference and receipt. Establish what happened to the first attempt before retrying or switching payment methods.

When
When the screen stalls or a payment result is unclear.
Tips
A notification, pending authorisation and completed charge are not interchangeable.
Sources & notes

If you contact the bank, ask it to explain the charge status. Repeatedly pressing Pay can create more uncertainty.

Mobile & Internet

4 cards
09Medium priority

Local SIM — Get a Chinese number

  1. Take your passport and phone to an official carrier service point.
  2. Confirm device compatibility, the included local number, calls, texts and data, plus the plan’s expiry and renewal terms.
  3. Ask staff to activate and test the connection before you leave.
When
On arrival, if you choose a local SIM.
Tips
A data allowance alone does not establish SMS or calling support.
Sources & notes

Pudong Airport’s arrivals service centre offers short-stay China Telecom SIM options; check current products and terms at the counter.

Done when: The selected SIM is activated and its data/number features have been checked.

10Medium priority

Travel eSIM — Add a data plan

  1. Check that your exact phone model supports eSIM and is unlocked for another provider.
  2. Choose a plan covering mainland China and install it using the provider’s instructions while you have internet access.
  3. Confirm when validity starts, which line supplies data and whether a number or SMS is included.
When
Before departure, while you have internet access.
Tips
A worldwide travel eSIM and an eSIM from a mainland carrier have different device requirements.
Sources & notes

A travel data eSIM may not include a Chinese number or ordinary SMS.

Done when: Your selected plan is installed and you know how and when it activates.

11Medium priority

Roaming — Keep your current SIM

Ask your home provider whether mainland China is covered and whether you need a travel pass. Check data, calls and texts separately, including validity and what happens when the allowance runs out. Save the activation instructions and enable data roaming only for the intended line and plan.

When
Before departure and before enabling data roaming.
Tips
Keeping a second line enabled can still incur charges from that provider.
Sources & notes

Done when: China roaming is arranged and you have recorded the activation and charging rules.

12High priority

Verification texts — Keep your usual number

Keep the SIM for the number registered with your bank or payment app available. Ask its provider whether it can receive SMS in mainland China and whether activation or charges apply. On a dual-SIM phone, distinguish the line receiving texts from the line supplying data.

When
Before departure and before changing phone plans.
Tips
Never share verification codes with someone offering to fix your account.
Sources & notes

Test access to important accounts before travelling. A new travel-data plan does not move your old number to it.

Done when: You have confirmed how your registered number will receive verification texts.

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