How Does ATMs & Cash Work in China?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Use Bank of China, ICBC, or HSBC ATMs for the most reliable foreign card access — cash is still necessary for markets and small vendors.
2What You Need to Know
While WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate everyday transactions in China, foreign tourists typically cannot easily link these apps to a foreign bank account, making cash essential for markets, street food, small shops, and local transport. Bank of China, ICBC, and HSBC ATMs are the most consistently reliable for Visa and Mastercard withdrawals; some smaller bank ATMs reject foreign cards entirely. ATM withdrawal fees can be significant — withdraw larger amounts less frequently. UnionPay is the dominant card network in China; if your bank card has a UnionPay logo, acceptance is wider.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Withdraw sufficient cash when you find a working ATM — not every machine in a given city will accept foreign cards.
- 2Ask your bank before travel about international withdrawal fees and daily limits; notify them of your travel to prevent card blocks.
- 3Some tourist-facing apps such as Alipay now allow foreign visitors to link a foreign Visa/Mastercard for a limited tourist wallet — set this up before arrival for app-based payments.
Important Warning
Many Chinese ATMs outside major bank branches will decline foreign Visa/Mastercard entirely — always carry enough cash for a full day and never rely on finding a working ATM at short notice.
How does this compare?
ATMs & Cash rules in nearby and similar countries:
Japan is heavily cash-based — always carry yen. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.
Thai ATMs charge a 220 baht fee per foreign card withdrawal — minimise withdrawals, carry cash for markets and temples, and always choose to be charged in Thai baht.
ATMs from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and POSB are widespread, but contactless payments and e-wallets are accepted almost everywhere in Singapore.
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