{"id":130090,"date":"2018-08-29T13:53:03","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T12:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?p=130090"},"modified":"2026-05-11T05:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T04:32:37","slug":"using-a-credit-card-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/credit-cards\/travel-credit-cards\/using-a-credit-card-in-china","title":{"rendered":"Best credit cards to use in China"},"content":{"rendered":"

China has the highest population in the world, and hosts an abundance of diverse landscapes: from the skyscrapers of Shanghai to the Great Wall of China in the north \u2013 you certainly won\u2019t run out of things to see or do. If you\u2019re planning to use your plastic on your travels, or withdraw cash while you\u2019re there, here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>

You can use your UK credit card in most popular tourist destinations and major cities without a problem. Outside of major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin or Chengdu, however, China is still largely a cash-based economy. The apps AliPay and WeChat are also popular payment methods.<\/p>

Cash machines in China<\/h3>

If you plan on visiting larger cities, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin or Chengdu, you\u2019ll find no significant problems when using a credit card. You can use your credit card at mid-sized and large hotels, restaurants and other businesses in most major cities. Outside of big cities, however, you\u2019ll have trouble finding businesses that accept credit cards \u2013 and cash machines are scarce, too. It\u2019s worth bearing in mind that if you use your credit card to get a cash advance, you\u2019re likely to start paying interest immediately.<\/p>

Cash in China<\/h3>

\u201cRenminbi\u201d is the official name for China\u2019s currency, and \u201cyuan\u201d is the name of a unit within the renminbi currency. It can be helpful to understand this by drawing an analogy with British currency, in which \u201cpound sterling\u201d is the official name, but \u201cpound\u201d is the main unit of the currency.<\/p>

Since China is mostly a cash-based economy, paying by cash is often easier and more convenient. While hotels and large businesses in the major cities may allow you to pay using your card, if you decide to visit smaller stores, markets or stalls, then you will have to pay using cash. For these reasons it is advisable to always carry some cash, just in case you decide to purchase souvenirs or food from smaller vendors. Plus, carrying cash gives you a back-up option in case anything goes wrong with your card.<\/p>

Chip and PIN<\/h3>

Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted in China.<\/p>

China is moving from magnetic-stripe technology to safer chip-enabled cards, meaning that chip and PIN is now the most common method of payment when using your card \u2013 just as it is in the UK.<\/p>

Chinese cards come with a six-digit PIN. Cash machines of some banks accept four-digit PINs, and in some cases you can override the system by keying in two zeros before your PIN. However, this does not work at all ATMs so it is best that you check with your bank before you depart. Don\u2019t forget that three incorrect attempts at entering the PIN will lead to a blocked card.<\/p>

Is it safe to use my card in China?<\/h3>

By exercising some caution when using your credit card in China, you\u2019ll have a relatively trouble-free experience.<\/p>