Traveling to Xi’an: Do Hotels in China Take Cash? A Tourist’s Honest Guide

First things first: I’m not a seasoned world traveler, but I do love exploring new places, and Xi’an has been on my bucket list for years—think terracotta warriors, ancient city walls, and all the roujimo my stomach can handle. But as someone who’s still a bit old-school (I carry cash more often than not), one question kept me up the night before my trip: Do hotels in China actually take cash?

I’ll save you the suspense: Yes, many do, but it’s not as simple as “all cash, all the time.” After a 10-day trip wandering Xi’an—from glitzy downtown hotels to cozy neighborhood homestays—I’ve learned the hard way what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid awkward moments at the front desk. Here’s my no-BS guide, written just like I’d chat with a friend over a cup of cha yuanzi.

Traveling to Xi’an: Do Hotels in China Take Cash? A Tourist’s Honest Guide

The Short Answer (But You’ll Want the Details)

Most hotels in Xi’an will accept cash, especially if you’re staying at local or mid-range properties. Big international chains (like Marriott or Hilton) might prefer digital payments, but even they’ll often take cash if you push a little. That said, relying only on cash is risky—China’s digital payment scene is no joke, and you’ll want a backup plan.

My First Hotel Experience: A “Cash Only” Wake-Up Call

I landed in Xi’an at 2 AM, bleary-eyed and dragging a suitcase. My first stop? A mid-range hotel near the Bell Tower—booked online, of course, because who plans that far ahead? At check-in, I slid my 2,000 RMB deposit across the counter, ready to hand over cash like I do back home. The front desk agent smiled politely, shook her head, and said, “We prefer Alipay or WeChat pay.”

Panic hit. I’d heard about China’s cashless society, but I’d assumed hotels—at least big ones—would still take cash. My Mandarin is basic, and her English was worse, so we played a game of charades: me miming “cash” (rubbing fingers together), her miming “phone” (tapping her screen). Eventually, she pulled out a QR code. “Scan?” she asked.

I sheepishly admitted I didn’t have WeChat Pay set up (oops). Her face fell for a second, then she sighed and said, “Okay, cash is fine. But next time, WeChat is easier.” Crisis averted, but I learned Lesson #1: Always have a digital payment option, even if you plan to use cash.

Which Hotels Take Cash? (And Which Might Not)

Not all hotels are created equal. Here’s what I noticed in Xi’an:

Local Homestays & Small Boutique Hotels (Cash-Friendly!)

I stayed at two homestays—one near the Muslim Quarter, another in the backstreets of Beilin District—and both were thrilled to take cash. The owner of the Muslim Quarter place even said, “Cash is king here! We don’t pay much in credit card fees, so we pass the savings to you.” One even let me pay for the entire stay upfront in cash (no deposit needed!) because I’d booked directly with her.

Pro tip: Small, family-run places often prefer cash. If you’re staying at a homestay listed on Airbnb or a local booking site, message the host ahead of time to confirm. Most will say, “Cash is no problem!”

Mid-Range Hotels (Mixed Bag, But Flexible)

These are the “in-between” hotels—think Holiday Inn Express or local brands like Hanting. The one near the Bell Tower (my first night) was a bit hesitant but took cash after a pause. Another mid-range hotel I tried near the High-tech Zone, though? Nope. The front desk agent said, “Sorry, our system only accepts digital payments for deposits and bills.”

Why the difference? Big chains often have centralized accounting systems that prefer digital trails for taxes and reporting. Smaller mid-range places might be more flexible, especially if they’re not part of a huge corporation.

Luxury International Hotels (Digital-First, But Cash Works in a Pinch)

I splurged one night at the Shangri-La near the city walls—mostly to pretend I was in a movie. At check-in, I asked about cash for the deposit. The agent smiled and said, “We accept all major credit cards, Alipay, and WeChat. For cash, we can process it, but it might take longer to refund your deposit when you check out.”

Translation: They can take cash, but they’d rather not. If you’re at a luxury place and insist on cash, be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes for them to count it and process it manually (they’ll give you a receipt, obviously).

Why Some Hotels Are Hesitant About Cash (It’s Not Just About Being “Modern”)

I was curious why so many places pushed digital payments, so I asked a few hotel owners. Here’s the scoop:

• Taxes and Paperwork: Digital payments leave a clear digital trail, which makes it easier for businesses to report income to the government. Cash? It’s harder to track, and some smaller places want to avoid the hassle of counting, depositing, and managing cash flow.
• Safety: Carrying large amounts of cash on-site is a risk for hotels—think theft or lost money. Digital payments transfer directly to their bank accounts, no cash handling needed.
• Convenience for Guests: This one surprised me! A hotel owner in Beilin said, “Most of our guests—Chinese and foreign—use WeChat or Alipay. It’s faster for them, and faster for us. No one has to count bills or wait for change.”

Practical Tips for Paying with Cash (Or Not) in Xi’an

After a week of trial and error, here’s what I’d tell any traveler:

Bring Cash, But Not Too Much

I started with 3,000 RMB in cash (a mix of 100s and 50s) and never ran out, but I also didn’t overspend. Why 3,000? It’s enough for a few nights at a mid-range hotel, meals at small restaurants, and souvenirs from vendors who only take cash.

Where to get cash? ATMs at Bank of China or ICBC are your best bet—they accept foreign cards and dispense RMB with low fees. Avoid airport ATMs; their exchange rates are terrible.

Set Up WeChat Pay or Alipay Before You Go

This is non-negotiable. Even if you plan to use cash, digital payments are everywhere: taxis, convenience stores, street food stalls, and yes—hotels. Here’s how to do it:

• WeChat Pay: If you have a Chinese phone number, you can link it directly. If not, use a service like WeChat International (it’s a bit clunky, but works).
• Alipay: Similar to WeChat—you can link a foreign credit card or use their “Tour Pass” feature, which lets you load money in advance.

Pro tip: Ask a friend back home (or your hotel host!) to help you set it up. I spent 30 minutes with my hotel owner’s daughter getting WeChat Pay linked, and it saved me so much hassle.

Always Ask “Do You Take Cash?” (In English or Mandarin)

If you’re nervous about language, just point to your wallet and say, “Cash?” Most people will understand. If they hesitate, follow up with, “Is cash okay for the deposit?” They’ll either say yes or offer a QR code (which you can scan with WeChat/Alipay).

Keep Small Bills for Tips and Vendors

Street food vendors, taxi drivers, and hotel bellhops often prefer small bills (10s, 20s, 50s) because they might not have change for 100s. I once tried to pay a taxi driver with a 100 RMB bill for a 30 RMB ride—he smiled, handed it back, and said, “Small money, please.” Oops.

What If a Hotel Refuses Cash? (Your Rights)

Here’s a legal tidbit: In China, businesses cannot legally refuse cash (it’s against the People’s Bank of China rules). That said, enforcement is spotty, especially in tourist areas. If a hotel flat-out refuses cash and you don’t have a digital payment option, stay calm:

• Ask to speak to a manager.
• Show them the PBOC rule (you can Google “China cash refusal law” and show them the screen—they might understand English).
• If all else fails, threaten to leave and find another hotel (this usually works—no hotel wants to lose a guest over a payment issue).

That said, I never had a hotel refuse cash outright—they just preferred digital. The worst that happened was a 5-minute delay while they counted my bills.

Final Verdict: Cash + Digital = Perfect Combo

By the end of my trip, I was a convert: Cash is great for emergencies and small vendors, but digital payments are king in Xi’an. I used WeChat Pay for 80% of my purchases—hotel bills, meals, even entrance tickets to the Terracotta Army—and cash for the rest.

So, to answer your original question: Yes, hotels in Xi’an (and most of China) will take cash, but you’ll have a smoother trip if you bring both cash and a digital payment option. Don’t be like me—scrambling to set up WeChat at 2 AM. A little prep goes a long way.

Now go enjoy those terracotta warriors—and maybe save me a roujimo while you’re at it.