Navigating Xi’an: A Tourist’s Guide to Apps and Payments

Landing in Xi’an, I was buzzing with excitement—the Terracotta Army, the Muslim Quarter, the ancient city walls… but within an hour of arriving, I hit a wall: literally. I tried to buy a bottle of water at the airport convenience store, only to realize my wallet held only cash, and the cashier shook her head, pointing to a QR code on the counter. “WeChat or Alipay,” she said, miming a scan with her phone. Panic set in. I’d heard China was a cashless society, but I hadn’t grasped how completely cashless. Over the next week, I fumbled, learned, and eventually mastered the art of navigating Xi’an using just my phone. If you’re planning a trip, let me save you the headache—here’s your practical guide to China’s tourist apps and payments.

First Things First: Download These Apps

Before you even leave for Xi’an, get these three apps on your phone. They’re your lifeline.

Navigating Xi’an: A Tourist’s Guide to Apps and Payments

WeChat (微信 / Wēixìn)

WeChat isn’t just for messaging—it’s China’s “everything app.” You’ll use it to pay for street food, taxis, entrance fees, and even split dinner with friends.

• How to set it up: Create an account (you can sign up with your phone number; if you don’t have a Chinese number, use a friend’s or the “+” option to add an international one). Then, go to “Me” → “Services” → “Wallet” (钱包 / Qiánbāo). To add money, link your international credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.—most work now). If that fails, don’t panic: you can add cash at “WeChat Pay Kiosks” (look for green machines in malls or subway stations) by scanning a QR code with your phone and depositing cash.
• Pro tip: Enable “Quick Pay” (快捷支付) in Wallet so you can scan QR codes without opening the app—just swipe left from the WeChat home screen.

Alipay (支付宝 / Zhīfùbǎo)

Alipay, owned by Alibaba, is WeChat’s main competitor. Some places (especially bigger shops, hotels, or tourist sites) might prefer one over the other, so having both is safest.

• How to set it up: Sign up with your phone number, then go to “Me” → “Payment Methods” → “Add Bank Card.” Link your international card here too—Alipay often has better success rates with foreign cards than WeChat. You can also add cash at Alipay “Kiosks” (blue machines) or at banks like ICBC or China Merchants Bank.
• Bonus: Alipay has a “Tour Card” (旅游卡 / Lǚyóu Kǎ) feature in its “Travel” section, which aggregates discounts for attractions, restaurants, and transportation in Xi’an. I saved 20% on my Terracotta Army tickets thanks to this!

Didi (滴滴 / Dīdī)

China’s answer to Uber. You’ll need it to get around Xi’an—taxis are scarce, and ride-hailing is cheap and reliable.

• How to set it up: Download Didi, sign up with your phone number, and add a payment method (WeChat Pay or Alipay—yes, it integrates with both!). When you need a ride, open the app, enter your destination, and choose a service: “Express” (快车 / Kuàichē) for budget rides, “Premium” (专车 / Zhuānchē) for more comfort, or “Didi Hitch” (顺风车 / Shùnfēngchē) for shared rides (cheapest, but may take longer).
• Pro tip: Save your hotel address in Chinese characters (e.g., “西安威斯汀酒店” for The Westin Xi’an) to show drivers—most don’t speak English.

Payment 101: How to Scan QR Codes

In China, there are two types of QR codes: Alipay (green background) and WeChat (blue/gray background). For small purchases (under ¥100), you’ll scan the merchant’s code. For bigger purchases (like hotel bills), they might scan your code.

• Paying the merchant: Open WeChat Pay or Alipay, tap “Scan” (扫一扫 / Sǎ yī sǎ), point your camera at the code, and confirm the amount. Done!
• Getting paid: If a merchant needs to scan you (e.g., a hotel checkout), go to “Wallet” in WeChat/Alipay, tap “收款” (Shōukuǎn / Receive Money), and show them the QR code on your screen.

Xi’an-Specific: Where to Use Apps

Let’s break down daily scenarios in Xi’an—this is where theory meets practice.

Transportation

• Didi: I used Didi every day to get from my hotel (near the Bell Tower) to the Terracotta Army (¥30-40, 30 mins) or the Muslim Quarter (¥10, 10 mins). It’s cheaper than taxis and drivers are rated—look for high scores (4.8+).
• Subway/Metro: Xi’an’s subway is clean and efficient. You can buy a physical card at stations (¥20 deposit + however much you want to add), but easier: use WeChat’s “Metro” (地铁 / Dìtiě) feature. Go to “Me” → “Services” → “Metro,” select Xi’an, and add money to your “Metro Pass.” Just tap your phone at the gate—no need to scan a QR code each time.
• Buses: Less tourist-friendly, but if you must, use Alipay’s “Bus” feature (similar to Metro) or buy a physical card at subway stations.

Food: From Street Stalls to Restaurants

• Street Food (Muslim Quarter): This is where cash will fail you. At the Muslim Quarter (回民街 / Huímín Jiē), every stall—selling roujiamo (meat sandwiches), tanghulu (candied hawthorns), or biangbiang noodles—has a WeChat or Alipay QR code. I’d just point to what I wanted, the vendor would show me the code, I’d scan, pay, and enjoy. Pro tip: Carry tissues—many stalls don’t have napkins!
• Restaurants: Even small local eateries take apps. Just ask, “WeChat or Alipay?” (微信还是支付宝？ / Wēixín háishì Zhīfùbǎo?), and they’ll point to their table QR code. For fancier restaurants, they might bring a handheld card machine—you can insert your international card there, but apps are faster.
• Delivery: If you’re tired and want to order food, use Meituan (美团 / Měituán) or Ele.me (饿了么 / Èle me). These food delivery apps (download them in WeChat/Alipay’s “Mini Programs”) let you pay via WeChat/Alipay and track your order in real time.

Attractions: Skip the Lines, Pay Smart

Xi’an’s top attractions can have long queues, but apps save time.

• Terracotta Army: Book tickets on Alipay’s “Travel” section or the official “秦始皇陵博物院” (Qín Shǐ Huáng Líng Bówùyuàn) Mini Program. I paid ¥120 (student discount!) via Alipay and scanned my e-ticket at the gate—no line!
• City Walls: You can buy tickets at the gate (¥54), but I used WeChat’s “City Wall” Mini Program to book in advance and paid with WeChat Pay. Bonus: You can rent bikes on the walls via the same app—scan the QR code at the bike station, pay ¥45 for 2 hours, and ride around the 14km loop.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔 / Dà Yàn Tǎ): Buy tickets on-site or via Alipay. There’s also a light show in the evening—book tickets on the “Tang Paradise” (大唐芙蓉园 / Dàtáng Fúróng Yuán) app (adjacent to the pagoda) and pay with WeChat.

Shopping: Markets to Malls

• Muslim Quarter Market: Bargain here! But don’t try to pay with cash—vendors expect apps. When haggling, agree on a price, then they’ll show you their QR code. I got a silk painting for ¥80 down from ¥200—just scanned and paid, no fuss.
• Shopping Malls (e.g., SKP, Century Ginza): These accept both apps and international cards. For luxury brands, you might pay at the counter with your card, but for smaller shops, scan their QR code.

When Cash is King (And How to Get It)

Despite being cashless, a few places still take cash:

• Small village markets (outside the city center)
• Temples or rural sites (less common, but possible)
• Vending machines (rare, but some subway ones only take cash)

So, carry a little cash (¥200-300) for emergencies. How to get it?

• ATMs: Look for Bank of China (中国银行 / Zhōngguó Yínháng) or ICBC (工商银行 / Gōngshāng Yínháng)—they accept foreign cards. Withdraw ¥500 at a time (ATM limits apply).
• Currency Exchange: At Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), exchange USD/EUR to RMB (renminbi) at the counter—rates are decent, and it’s easy. Avoid airport exchange kiosks in the city center; they have worse rates.

Troubleshooting: Common Payment Hiccups

• “Payment failed”: Check your internet! WeChat/Alipay need data. If you don’t have a Chinese SIM, buy an eSIM (via China Unicom/China Mobile) before you go, or use a VPN with a local server (but VPNs can be slow).
• Card declined: Some foreign cards block transactions in China. Call your bank before you travel to unblock “international payments.”
• Can’t find a QR code: In restaurants, ask the waiter—they’ll bring a portable card reader. For street vendors, point to your phone and say, “WeChat Pay?”—most will understand.
• Forgot your password: Use “Forgot Password” in WeChat/Alipay. For international users, you can verify with your passport number.

Final Tips for a Smooth Trip

• Language: Download a translation app (like iFlyTranslate or Google Translate) with Chinese offline packs. When paying, show the vendor the amount on your phone to avoid confusion.
• Security: Enable “Face ID” or “Fingerprint Pay” in WeChat/Alipay for small amounts (under ¥1000). For big purchases, enter your password. Don’t scan random QR codes—stick to official ones.
• Backup: Save screenshots of your hotel address, emergency contacts, and app login info in case your phone dies.

By the end of my trip, I was a pro—scanning codes for roujiamo, haggling at markets, and zipping around the city on Didi, all without touching cash. Xi’an’s blend of ancient history and modern tech is incredible, and with these apps, you can focus on what matters: exploring the Terracotta Army, savoring lamb burgers in the Muslim Quarter, and watching the sunset from the City Walls. Don’t let payment stress you out—download these apps, take a deep breath, and enjoy the ride.

Xi’an is waiting, and with your phone in hand, you’re ready to explore. Happy travels!