Hotel Payment in Xi’an: A Foreigner’s Practical Guide

Landing in Xi’an for my first trip, I was excited to explore the Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter, and the ancient city walls—but I’ll admit, one thing nagged at me: How on earth will I pay for my hotel? I’d heard China was a cashless society, but as a foreigner with limited Mandarin, I wasn’t sure if my credit card would work, or if I’d need to scramble for yuan. After a week navigating hotels across Xi’an—from budget hostels near the train station to a mid-range spot in the Bell Tower area—I’ve learned a lot (and made a few mistakes!). Let me break down what actually works for foreign travelers, so you can skip the stress and focus on enjoying your trip.

Hotel Payment in Xi’an: A Foreigner’s Practical Guide

First Things First: Cash vs. Card—What’s the Norm?

Before diving into specifics, let’s set the record straight: China is extremely digital, but hotels still play by slightly different rules than your local coffee shop. For most foreign travelers, the big question is: Can I just use my Visa/Mastercard?

The short answer: It depends on the hotel.

Luxury chains (like the Sheraton, Westin, or Intercontinental in Xi’an) almost always accept international credit cards—Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are typically welcome. I stayed at the Sheraton near the High-tech Zone and simply swiped my card at check-in, no problem. But if you’re staying at a mid-range boutique hotel, a local hostel, or a family-run guesthouse inside the ancient city walls, don’t assume card payments are an option. I learned this the hard way at a charming little hostel near the Muslim Quarter: they only took cash, and I’d spent all my yuan on dinner the night before (more on that later!).

Cash: Still King for Smaller Hotels

Even in 2024, cash is essential for smaller, locally owned hotels in Xi’an. Why? Many small businesses don’t have the international payment systems larger hotels do—they’re often cash-only to avoid bank fees and paperwork.

How much cash should you bring?
I’d recommend arriving in Xi’an with at least ¥1,000–¥2,000 (roughly $140–$280) in yuan, split into smaller bills (¥50, ¥100, and some ¥20s). This covers hotel deposits, small purchases, and emergencies. You can exchange money at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (the arrival hall has several banks and currency exchange counters with fair rates) or withdraw cash from ATMs—more on that in a second.

Pro tip: Keep your cash in a money belt or secure pouch. Pickpocketing isn’t rampant in Xi’an, but crowded areas like the Muslim Quarter or train stations are always worth watching.

ATMs: Your Backup Plan

If you run low on cash, ATMs are your friend. Xi’an has ATMs everywhere—airport, train stations, shopping malls, and even some convenience stores (like 7-Eleven). Most ATMs accept international cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay), but there’s a catch: some only issue UnionPay cards, which are for Chinese bank accounts.

Look for ATMs with the “International Card” sign (usually in English). Bank of China, ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China), and China Construction Bank are your safest bets—their ATMs almost always work with foreign cards. I used a Bank of China ATM near the Bell Tower to withdraw ¥800, and my bank (in the U.S.) charged a small fee, but it was worth it for peace of mind.

Note: Some ATMs have a daily withdrawal limit (usually ¥3,000–¥5,000, depending on your bank). If you need more, you’ll have to visit a bank branch during business hours (9 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday).

Mobile Payments: The “Wow” Factor (and How to Make Them Work for You)

If you’ve seen videos of people paying for everything with their phones in China, you’re not wrong—WeChat Pay and Alipay are everywhere. But here’s the catch: foreign accounts can’t use them directly. You need a Chinese bank account or a “virtual wallet” linked to an international card, which can be tricky.

That said, some hotels are starting to accept foreign-registered WeChat or Alipay. For example, I stayed at a modern hotel in the Qujiang新区 district that let me pay via WeChat Pay using my international Visa (they had a QR code at the front desk). But this was rare—most smaller hotels still don’t support this.

If you want to try setting up mobile payments:

• WeChat Pay: Open WeChat, go to “Me” → “Services” → “Wallet” → “Payment Methods” → “Add Bank Card.” You can link a foreign Visa/Mastercard, but some merchants still block it.
• Alipay: Similar to WeChat, but you may need a Chinese phone number to verify.

Honestly? For hotels, mobile payments are more hassle than they’re worth unless you’re staying at a tech-savvy place. Stick to cash or card for hotels, and save mobile payments for street food (where you can use cash if needed).

Credit Cards: What to Expect

If you’re planning to use a credit card, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Foreign cards work in larger hotels: As I mentioned, luxury and international chain hotels (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) are your safest bet for card payments.
• Bring your passport: Hotels in China are required by law to scan your passport at check-in (this is for the “police registration” system). Don’t be surprised if they ask to hold your passport for a few minutes while they process it—they’ll return it, I promise!
• Pre-authorizations: Some hotels may place a hold on your card for incidentals (like room service or minibar). This is normal, but make sure you have enough available credit.
• Dynamic currency conversion (DCC): If given the choice, always pay in yuan, not your home currency. DCC lets the hotel convert the charge to dollars/euros at a terrible exchange rate. I once saw a hotel charge $150 for a ¥1,000 room because of DCC—avoid this!

The “Hotel Deposit” Surprise

One thing I didn’t expect: Many hotels in China (even mid-range ones) require a cash deposit at check-in. This is usually ¥200–¥500 (roughly $30–$70) and covers things like minibar usage, room keys, or potential damage. They’ll return it when you check out, but you need to have cash on hand.

I learned this at a hotel near the Terracotta Warriors—they only took cash for the deposit, and I’d just used my last ¥100 for a taxi. Thankfully, the front desk let me pay the deposit via WeChat (using a friend’s account—more on that below), but it was a close call. Always ask about deposits when booking: “Do you need a cash deposit, and can I pay it by card?”

Emergency Options: When You’re Really Stuck

What if you arrive at your hotel with no cash, no working card, and no ATM nearby? Don’t panic—Xi’an is tourist-friendly, and there are ways to fix this.

• Ask the hotel to help: Most hotels will let you use their phone to call a friend or family back home for a money transfer. Apps like Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Remitly let you send money to China, which you can pick up in cash at a local bank.
• Use a money exchange service: If you’re near a big shopping area (like the Century Ginwa department store downtown), there are licensed money exchange offices that offer better rates than airport ATMs.
• Borrow from a local: If you make friends with other travelers or locals, they might be willing to spot you cash—you can pay them back via WeChat or PayPal later.

My Top Tips for Smooth Hotel Payments

After a week of trial and error, here’s what I’d tell every foreign traveler heading to Xi’an:

1. Book hotels that accept international cards (if possible): Use sites like Booking.com or Agoda, which let you filter by “credit card accepted.” This saves a ton of stress.
2. Download offline translation apps: Google Translate or iTranslate are lifesavers when explaining payment issues. I used Google Translate to show a hotel clerk “I need to pay by card—do you accept Visa?” and they pointed me to their card machine.
3. Carry a small notebook and pen: For writing down amounts (e.g., “Deposit: ¥300”) or asking for help (“Can I pay by card?” in Chinese: “我可以用信用卡付款吗？”).
4. Check your bank’s foreign fees: Some banks charge 3–5% for international withdrawals or card payments. If your bank has high fees, consider getting a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees (like Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture).
5. Don’t forget the police registration: All hotels in China must register foreign guests with the police within 24 hours of arrival. Your hotel will do this for you, but they need your passport—so keep it handy!

Final Thoughts: Xi’an Is Welcoming—Payments Are Manageable

By the end of my trip, I realized that paying for hotels in Xi’an isn’t as scary as I’d thought. Yes, there are quirks (cash deposits, small hotels that don’t take cards), but with a little prep—bringing some cash, choosing the right hotels, and having backup plans—you’ll be fine.

Xi’an is a city of ancient wonders and modern convenience, and the people here are used to helping foreigners navigate. Whether you’re splurging on a luxury hotel or crashing at a budget hostel, a smile and a little patience go a long way. So pack your bags, bring some yuan, and get ready to explore—because the only thing you should worry about in Xi’an is whether to try the roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) or the yangrou paomo (bread soup) first. Safe travels!