Most common payment methods in China

Great topic — this is the single thing that trips up new arrivals, so

here's the practical version.

Most common: mobile apps, by far. Alipay and WeChat Pay cover almost

everything — groceries, coffee, taxis, restaurants, even street markets.

Bank cards work at big hotels, malls and supermarkets, but assume they

won't work at small places.

Contactless: yes, but "contactless" here means QR codes, not tapping your

card. You scan the shop's code, or they scan yours. Card tapping is rare.

Which app: Alipay is the easier one to set up with a foreign card and it

covers the most ground. WeChat Pay is worth adding because a lot of

smaller merchants and person-to-person transfers run on it. Set both up

before you arrive, while you still have your home phone number for the

verification code.

Security: honestly safer than cash — every payment is tied to an account

and leaves a record. The real risk is your phone dying, so carry a power

bank.

Cash: yes, keep 300-500 RMB. Small stalls, the occasional taxi, and the

first day before your apps are verified.