Street Food / Breakfast Stall

Always carry small bills (10-50 RMB). Most vendors prefer QR codes.

Alipay
Works
WeChat Pay
Works
Cash (RMB)
Works
Foreign Card
No

Restaurant (Mid-range)

Ask before ordering: "Can I pay with foreign card?" (可以刷外卡吗？)

Alipay
Works
WeChat Pay
Works
Cash (RMB)
Sometimes
Foreign Card
Sometimes

Metro / Public Transport

Buy a transit card at the station with cash, or use Alipay/WeChat transit QR.

Alipay
Works
WeChat Pay
Works
Cash (RMB)
Works
Foreign Card
No

Supermarket / Convenience Store

Carrefour, Walmart, and 7-11 usually accept foreign cards. Local markets may not.

Alipay
Works
WeChat Pay
Works
Cash (RMB)
Works
Foreign Card
Sometimes

Mobile Top-up / Online

You need a Chinese payment app for online services. Foreign cards rarely work online.

Alipay
Works
WeChat Pay
Works
Cash (RMB)
No
Foreign Card
No

Legend

Works reliably
Sometimes works / Ask first
Does not work