Navigating Xian: A Foreigners Guide to the Best Way to Carry Money in China

When my plane touched down at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, I felt a rush of excitement. I was finally in the ancient capital of China, ready to see the Terracotta Army, cycle along the Ming City Wall, and eat my body weight in street food at the Muslim Quarter. I had done my research on the history, the weather, and the must-try dishes. But there was one massive logistical detail I had completely underestimated: how I was going to pay for things.

If you are planning a trip to Xi'an—or anywhere in China, for that matter—you need to forget everything you know about traveling with a travel money belt, relying on your trusty credit card, or even carrying a thick wad of local cash. I learned this the hard way on my very first night.

Let me walk you through my journey, the payment hurdles I faced, and ultimately, the best way to carry money in China so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying the magic of Xi'an.

The Cashless Awakening

After dropping my bags at my hotel near the Bell Tower, I ventured out into the evening air. The streets were buzzing, neon lights were flashing, and the smell of cumin and grilled lamb wafted through the air. I stopped at a small street vendor selling Roujiamo (often called the Chinese hamburger). It smelled incredible. When it was my turn to order, I pulled out a crisp 100 RMB note.

The vendor looked at the bill, then looked at me, and smiled apologetically. She pointed to a QR code printed on a piece of paper taped to her cart. She didn't have change. In fact, she barely had a physical cash box.

I had to awkwardly step out of line. I quickly realized that China has essentially bypassed the credit card era and gone straight into a ubiquitous QR-code-based mobile payment society. From high-end shopping malls to elderly ladies selling pomegranates on the street corner, everyone uses their phones to pay.

Discovering the Best Way to Carry Money in China

Desperate for that Roujiamo, I retreated to my hotel lobby and asked the concierge for help. This is where I learned the golden rule of modern Chinese travel. The best way to carry money in China isn't in your pocket or your wallet; it’s on your smartphone.

Specifically, you need to set up WeChat Pay and Alipay. For a long time, this was incredibly difficult for tourists because you needed a Chinese bank account. But thankfully, the rules have changed, and both platforms now allow foreign tourists to link international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club) to their digital wallets.

Here is exactly how you do it before you even leave for the airport:

1. Download the Apps: Download Alipay and WeChat (if you don't have them already).
2. Link Your Card: In Alipay, go to "Me" > "Bank Cards" > "Add Card." In WeChat, go to "Me" > "Services" > "Wallet" > "Cards."
3. Verify Your Identity: You will be prompted to enter your passport details and your card information. This verification process might take a few minutes, so do it a few days before your trip.
4. Top-up or Direct Pay: Alipay recently introduced a "Tour Card" feature (in partnership with Bank of Shanghai) where you can essentially preload a digital prepaid card using your foreign credit card. WeChat allows direct charging to your linked Visa/Mastercard at the time of purchase.

Having your money on your phone is the absolute best way to carry money in China because it eliminates the language barrier at checkout. You don't need to count unfamiliar bills or worry about receiving counterfeit change. You just scan, verify the amount, and you're done.

Putting It to the Test in Xi'an

Once I had my Alipay and WeChat Pay set up, Xi'an became an absolute playground.

The very next morning, I went back to the Muslim Quarter. This time, I was unstoppable. I bought a Roujiamo by scanning the vendor's QR code. I bought persimmon cakes, roasted chestnuts, and cold noodles (Liangpi). Every transaction took less than five seconds. The locals were incredibly friendly, and seeing a foreigner seamlessly use the local payment methods always earned me a warm smile and a nod of approval.

When I visited the magnificent Terracotta Warriors, I bought my entrance tickets through a WeChat Mini-Program. I didn't have to wait in the massive ticket lines; I just walked up to the gate, showed the QR code on my phone, and walked right in.

Later that afternoon, I wanted to rent a bicycle to ride along the top of the ancient Ming City Wall. The rental kiosks operate entirely through Alipay. I scanned the QR code on the bike, unlocked it, and rode off into the sunset. When I returned the bike, the app automatically calculated my time and charged my linked credit card exactly 45 RMB. It was frictionless.

Even getting around the city was a breeze. I used the Didi Chuxing app (China’s equivalent to Uber), which is integrated into both Alipay and WeChat. I could order a ride from my hotel to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the payment was handled automatically at the end of the trip. I never had to fumble with my wallet or try to explain to a taxi driver where I needed to go using broken Mandarin.

Do You Still Need Physical Cash or Cards?

Now, you might be wondering: "Should I bring absolutely zero physical money?"

The answer is no. While mobile payment is the undisputed best way to carry money in China, you should still have a backup plan. Technology can fail, batteries die, and sometimes there are glitches with foreign card verification.

Here is how I managed my backup funds:

A Small Amount of Cash (RMB): I exchanged about $100 USD into Chinese Yuan (RMB) at my hotel front desk. I kept this tucked away in my daypack. I only had to use it once, at a very small, rural-style temple on the outskirts of Xi'an where the donation box didn't have a QR code (yes, even donation boxes have QR codes in China!). Having a few 10 and 20 RMB notes is handy for minor emergencies. Just don't expect street vendors, convenience stores, or even some local restaurants to have the change to break a 100 RMB note.

An International Credit Card: I kept my Visa card in my wallet, but I rarely used it. The only times I swiped my physical card were at my international hotel to pay for my room and at a high-end souvenir shop near the airport to buy some replica Terracotta Warriors. Do not rely on your physical credit card for daily expenses, as 95% of merchants do not have POS (Point of Sale) machines for international cards.

A Backup Battery Pack: This isn't money, but it is the most important accessory you will own in China. Since your phone is your wallet, your map, your translator, and your camera, a dead battery means you are stranded, lost, and broke. Carry a fully charged power bank at all times.

A Few Final Practical Tips for Your Xi'an Trip

To make your financial experience in Xi'an as smooth as possible, keep these final tips in mind:

• Expect Small Foreign Transaction Fees: Depending on your bank, you might incur a 3% foreign transaction fee every time you use Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card. Check with your bank. If you have a travel credit card that waives these fees, definitely link that one!
• Currency Conversion: When you make a purchase on Alipay or WeChat, it will often ask if you want to pay in your home currency (e.g., USD) or in RMB. Always choose to pay in RMB. If you choose your home currency, the merchant's bank will apply their own exchange rate, which is almost always worse than the rate your credit card company will give you.
• Internet Connectivity is Key: Because you need to be online to process payments, you need a reliable data connection. I highly recommend either buying a Chinese SIM card at the airport upon arrival or downloading an eSIM (like Airalo or Holafly) before your trip. Without data, you can't pay for anything.
• Keep Your Passport Handy: While you don't need it to buy street food, some larger purchases, train ticket bookings, and museum entries may require you to input your passport number or show the physical document.

The Verdict

My trip to Xi'an was one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life. Standing in front of the thousands of Terracotta Warriors, listening to the hauntingly beautiful music played on ancient instruments, and tasting the rich, complex flavors of Shaanxi cuisine were moments I will never forget.

Don't let the fear of a different payment system keep you from experiencing this incredible city. Embrace the technology. By taking an hour before your flight to download the right apps and link your cards, you will unlock the absolute best way to carry money in China. You'll navigate the bustling alleys of the Muslim Quarter, scale the ancient city walls, and travel like a local—all with a simple scan of your phone.

Xi'an is waiting for you. Just make sure your phone is charged!