Журнал · Jul 25, 2026
Surviving a Cashless Country
China has leapfrogged cash to a degree that surprises most first-time visitors. Even the smallest street stall will show you a QR code, and vendors may look genuinely confused if you proffer a banknote.
The good news for travelers is that the two big payment apps — Alipay and WeChat Pay — now accept international cards. Set them up before you leave, link a card, and you will be able to pay almost anywhere by scanning a code. Keep some cash as a backup, but expect to use it rarely.
The one thing to remember: a dead phone is a real problem in a cashless country. Carry a battery pack, and keep your payment app accessible offline where possible.
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