Paying in Xi’an as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide

Landing in Xi’an for the first time, I was buzzing with excitement to explore the Terracotta Army, cycle on the ancient City Wall, and stuff myself with roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) and liangpi (cold skin noodles). But as I reached for my wallet to pay for a taxi from the airport, a wave of hit me: How do I actually pay here? Back home, I’m used to tapping my card or using Apple Pay, but in Xi’an, things felt… different. After a week of fumbling, learning, and occasionally panicking, I’ve figured out the ins and outs of paying as a foreigner. Here’s everything you need to know, no jargon—just straight-up, practical advice.

First Things First: Cash Still Rules (Sometimes)

My first mistake? Assuming I could rely solely on cards. While big malls, fancy hotels, and international chains (like Starbucks or McDonald’s) take Visa/Mastercard, most local spots—think street food stalls, night markets, or family-run restaurants—only take cash. My first night in the Muslim Quarter, I tried to pay for a steaming bowl of yangrou paomo with my debit card, and the vendor just shook his head, pointing to a “现金支付” (cash payment) sign. Oops.

What you need: Chinese Yuan (CNY). Bring some cash from home, but don’t exchange too much at the airport—their rates are terrible. Instead, head to a local bank (like Bank of China or ICBC) or an ATM in the city. ATMs that accept international cards (Visa/Mastercard) are common in tourist areas: I found one near the Bell Tower and another outside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Withdrawals have a daily limit (usually around 3,000–5,000 CNY), so plan ahead.

Paying in Xi’an as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide

Pro tip: Carry small bills (10s, 20s, 50s). Vendors rarely have change for 100s, and you don’t want to hand over a 100-yuan note for a 20-yuan bowl of noodles.

Mobile Payments: The Real Game-Changer (But It’s Tricky for Foreigners)

By day two, I realized cash wasn’t enough. Everyone in Xi’an—shopkeepers, taxi drivers, even street sweepers—uses mobile payments. Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付) are the kings. I’d see people scan a QR code to buy a bottle of water, pay for a bus ride, or split a dinner bill with friends. It’s seamless… if you’re Chinese.

As a foreigner, setting these up takes a little work, but it’s 100% worth it. Here’s how:

Alipay: The “Foreigner-Friendly” Option

Alipay has a feature called “AlipayHK” for Hong Kong users and “Alipay+,” which lets foreign-linked cards (like Visa/Mastercard) work directly. But the easiest way? Link your international credit/debit card during registration.

1. Download Alipay and sign up with your phone number (you can get a temporary Chinese number via apps like “eSIM Asia” or ask your hotel for help).
2. Verify your identity: You’ll need your passport. Alipay might ask for a “real-name verification”—just upload a photo of your passport and a selfie. It takes a few hours.
3. Add your card: Go to “Me” → “Payment Methods” → “Add Bank Card.” Enter your international card details (Visa/Mastercard). I tested mine with a Canadian Visa, and it worked!

Once set up, paying is easy: just scan the merchant’s QR code (they’ll have a green Alipay sign) or have them scan yours (open Alipay, tap the “+” icon, and show the “收款码”—receive money code).

WeChat Pay: A Bit More Complicated

WeChat Pay is trickier because it’s tightly linked to Chinese bank accounts. Most foreigners can’t directly link international cards yet (though WeChat is rolling this out slowly). Your best bet?

• Ask a friend to help: If you have a Chinese friend, you can send them money via PayPal/TransferWise, and they can “top up” your WeChat wallet. Then, use it to pay. (But this is a hassle—only do it if you’re staying with someone.)
• Use WeChat Pay via Alipay+: Some merchants accept WeChat Pay through Alipay+, but it’s not universal.

Bottom line: Prioritize Alipay. It’s more foreigner-friendly and accepted almost everywhere mobile payments are used.

Credit/Debit Cards: When They Work (And When They Don’t)

Like I said, cards work in “big box” places. I used my Visa to buy train tickets at the train station (the ticket machines take cards, but staff might prefer cash—double-check), pay for a hotel booking, and grab a meal at a chain restaurant like Haidilao. But don’t rely on them for small, local purchases.

Important: Notify your bank before traveling! I forgot to do this once, and my card was blocked when I tried to withdraw cash in Xi’an. A quick call to my bank (using a messaging app like WhatsApp, since international calls are pricey) fixed it, but it was stressful.

ATM tip: Stick to ATMs inside banks (not street-side ones). They’re more secure and less likely to skimp on your withdrawal.

Transportation: How to Pay for Buses, Taxis, and Metro

Getting around Xi’an is easy, but payment methods vary.

Taxis

Most taxis take cash—only cash. I tried to pay with my card once, and the driver just laughed. Make sure you have small bills, as they rarely carry change for 100s. Pro tip: Use a taxi-hailing app like DiDi (China’s Uber) to avoid overcharging. DiDi lets you pay via Alipay or WeChat, so you don’t need to worry about cash.

Metro and Buses

Xi’an’s metro is efficient and cheap (2–7 RMB per ride), but ticket machines only take cash. If you don’t have Chinese Yuan, buy a “长安通” (Chang’an Tong) card at the metro station—you can pay with a credit card at the customer service desk. Load it with cash, and tap it to enter. Buses also take Chang’an Tong cards, or you can pay cash (exact fare only).

Bikes and Shared Scooters

Mobike and HelloBike (shared bikes) are everywhere. You can pay via their apps (Alipay/WeChat), but if you don’t have those, some accept international credit cards. Just scan the QR code on the bike and follow the prompts.

Common Payment Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

I learned these the hard way—so you don’t have to!

1. “We Don’t Take Cards Here” Sign: If you see this, don’t even bother pulling out your wallet. Just smile, say “谢谢” (thank you), and head to an ATM.
2. QR Code Confusion: Merchants have two QR codes—one for Alipay (green) and one for WeChat (red). Make sure you scan the right one! If you scan the wrong one, the money might not go through (but don’t worry—you can usually reverse it via the app).
3. No Change? No Problem: If a vendor says they don’t have change for a big bill, offer to pay with a smaller bill (if you have one) or just grab something else to even out the amount. I once bought a 15-yuan bubble tea and a 5-yuan egg tart to use a 20-yuan bill—worked like a charm.
4. Payment Failed? Check This: If your card or mobile payment gets declined, first check your internet (you need data for Alipay/WeChat). If that’s not it, call your bank or check the app for error messages (e.g., “insufficient funds” or “card blocked”).

Final Tips: Breathe, You’ve Got This

Paying in Xi’an as a foreigner feels intimidating at first, but it’s totally manageable. Here’s my checklist for next time:

• Bring $200–300 in cash (in 10s, 20s, 50s) for emergencies and small vendors.
• Set up Alipay before you go (it takes 20 minutes, max).
• Notify your bank about your travel dates.
• Download DiDi for hassle-free taxis.
• Carry a small wallet—you’ll be using cash and cards more than you think.

By the end of my trip, I was zipping through the Muslim Queue, scanning QR codes like a pro, and even haggling over prices (cash helps here!). Xi’an is a city of history, flavor, and warmth—and once you master the payments, you can focus on what really matters: eating too many roujiamo, getting lost in the Bell Tower, and falling in love with the city’s magic.

Now go—your adventure (and your first liangpi) awaits!