Xi’an First-Timer: A Practical Guide to Payments & Beyond for Short-Stay Visa Travelers

Landing in Xi’an felt like stepping into a living history book—one where the pages were written in both ancient characters and modern QR codes. As a first-time visitor on a short-stay visa, I was thrilled to explore the Terracotta Army, stroll along the Muslim Quarter, and lose myself in the Muslim Quarter’s bustling lanes. But before I could even admire the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, I hit my first hurdle: How do I pay for things here? China’s cashless culture is incredible, but for short-stay travelers like me, navigating payments can feel like decoding a secret language. After a week of trial, error, and way too many “sorry, no cash” moments, I’ve put together this guide to help you skip the stress and focus on the magic.

Chapter 1: Before You Fly—Prep Your Payment Tools

Short-stay visa travelers (think tourist visas, usually 30-90 days) can’t just swipe a foreign credit card everywhere like at home. Here’s what to sort out before you land:

The Golden Rule: Cash is Still King (Sometimes)

Even though China is 90% cashless, small vendors, night markets, or rural spots near Xi’an (like the Terracotta Army’s offbeat souvenir stalls) often only take cash. I learned this the hard way when I tried to buy a steaming bowl of roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) from a street cart and got a blank stare when I offered my Visa.

How to get cash:

• Exchange at the airport: When you land at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), head to the Bank of China or Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) counters. They exchange USD, EUR, GBP, and more into RMB (Chinese Yuan). Pro tip: Avoid airport “exchange kiosks” in the arrivals hall—they have terrible rates. Stick to the official bank counters.
• ATMs: Your home bank card (Visa/Mastercard) works at ICBC, China Construction Bank, and Bank of China ATMs in the city. I withdrew 3,000 RMB at an ICBC near the Bell Tower—fees were around $5, but way cheaper than airport exchange rates.
• Emergency cash: Bring a few hundred USD/EUR as backup. Some hotels or larger travel agencies will exchange foreign cash, but rates are worse than banks.

How much cash to carry? For daily expenses, 500-1,000 RMB (≈$70-$140) is enough for snacks, souvenirs, or small taxis. Keep small bills (10s, 20s, 50s)—vendors often can’t break 100s or 200s.

Mobile Payments: The “Magic” App (But It Takes Setup)

By now, you’ve probably heard of WeChat Pay and Alipay—China’s answer to PayPal. They’re everywhere: street food, convenience stores, metro stations, even street sweepers tipping! But here’s the catch: you need a Chinese bank account to use them fully. As a short-stayer, you can’t open one easily… unless you use these workarounds:

Option A: Alipay “International Version” (Easiest for Tourists)

Alipay has an “International Wallet” specifically for travelers. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download Alipay from your app store (it’s in English).
2. Sign up with your phone number (you’ll need a Chinese SIM card—more on that later).
3. Go to “Profile” > “International Wallet” and link your foreign credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard).
4. Add money to your wallet (minimum 100 RMB) to use in stores.

Where it works: Most malls, Starbucks, KFC, larger restaurants, and tourist sites (like the Terracotta Army ticket office). I used it to buy entrance tickets to the Shaanxi History Museum—no line, no cash!

Limitation: Small vendors (like the baozi steamer in the Muslim Quarter) often only accept domestic WeChat/Alipay (the ones linked to Chinese bank accounts). So don’t rely on this alone.

Option B: WeChat Pay “Travel Pass” (Great for Small Spending)

WeChat Pay is even more popular than Alipay for daily use. For tourists, they offer a “Travel Pass” (you need a Chinese friend to help activate it, or use a third-party service like “WeChat Pay International” via a travel agency). Here’s the simple way:

1. Get a Chinese SIM card (China Unicom or China Mobile—at the airport, they sell “tourist SIMs” with 30 days of data and a local number for ~$20).
2. Download WeChat, sign up, and go to “Me” > “Wallet” > “Payment Settings” > “Add Bank Card.”
3. Link your foreign card (Visa/Mastercard) and enable “Quick Pay.”

Where it works: Almost everywhere WeChat Pay is accepted—taxis, convenience stores (7-Eleven), street food (if the vendor has a QR code), and even some hotels. I paid for a jianbing (Chinese crepe) with it at 7 AM—so satisfying!

Pro tip: Carry a physical photo of your passport and visa on your phone. Some small vendors ask to see ID when you use a foreign card.

Chapter 2: On the Ground—Navigating Payments in Xi’an

Once you’ve got your cash and apps sorted, here’s how to use them in Xi’an’s top spots:

Airport & Transportation: From Taxi to Metro

• Taxis: All Xi’an taxis take cash or WeChat/Alipay. Before you get in, note the fare (start at 13 RMB for the first 3 km). I once had a driver try to overcharge me, so I showed him the meter and paid via WeChat—he didn’t mind!
• Metro: Xi’an’s metro is clean, cheap, and easy. Buy a “Yikatong” card at any station (with your passport)—it’s like a Oyster card. You can also scan WeChat/Alipay QR codes at the ticket gates (look for the green “WeChat Pay” or blue “Alipay” signs). A ride from the airport to the city center (Bell Tower) is about 26 RMB via metro.
• Buses: Same as metro—use a Yikatong card or scan WeChat/Alipay. But buses can be crowded during rush hour, so metro is better for tourists.

Accommodation: Hotels vs. Airbnb

• Hotels: Most mid-range to luxury hotels (like the Sheraton Xi’an or InterContinental) accept foreign credit cards. Some smaller “boutique hotels” in the Muslim Quarter might only take cash or WeChat/Alipay—always check when booking. I stayed at a hotel near the Bell Tower and paid my bill with my Visa card—no problem.
• Airbnb: If you’re renting an apartment, the host might ask for cash or a bank transfer. For short stays, many hosts now accept WeChat/Alipay. My Airbnb host sent me a WeChat Pay link for the deposit—super convenient.

Food: From Muslim Street Night Markets to Fine Dining

Xi’an is a foodie paradise, and paying for meals is easy if you know the rules:

• Big restaurants: Western chains (McDonald’s, Pizza Hut) and upscale Chinese restaurants (like De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant) take foreign credit cards. I had a delicious liangpi (cold skin noodles) feast at a sit-down place and paid with my Mastercard.
• Street food & night markets: This is where cash shines. The Muslim Quarter’s night market is a must-try—roujiamo, yangrou paomo (bread soaked in lamb soup), and hulatang (spicy soup) are everywhere. All the stalls take cash, and prices are cheap (a roujiamo is 5-10 RMB). I carried a small “coin purse” with 10s and 20s—perfect for grabbing snacks as I wandered.
• Small eateries: Family-run xiaochi (snack) shops often only take cash. If you’re unsure, ask “Can I pay by WeChat?” (in Chinese: “我可以用微信支付吗？”—Wǒ kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn zhīfù ma?). Most will nod and show you their QR code.

Attractions: Tickets, Skip-the-Line, and More

Xi’an’s top attractions are worth the visit, and paying for tickets is straightforward:

• Terracotta Army: Buy tickets online via Alipay or the official website (with a foreign card) to skip the line. On-site, you can pay with cash or WeChat/Alipay. A combo ticket (Terracotta Army + Huaqing Pool) is 150 RMB.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Tickets are 50 RMB. I paid with WeChat Pay at the gate—no queue!
• Muslim Quarter: Free to enter! But if you want to visit the Great Mosque (20 RMB), pay at the ticket office—they take cash or WeChat.
• Tip: Many attractions have “student discounts” (with your student ID) and “senior discounts.” If you’re over 60, bring your passport—you might get a discount!

Chapter 3: “Wait, That Didn’t Work”—Common Payment Hiccups & Fixes

Even with prep, things can go wrong. Here are the issues I faced and how to fix them:

“My Foreign Card Was Declined”

This happened to me at a small tea shop. The owner said, “Sorry, your card ‘no international’.” Turns out, some small businesses only accept domestic cards (linked to Chinese banks). Fix: Carry cash as a backup. Or, if the shop has WeChat/Alipay, use the “International Wallet” feature (Alipay) or link your foreign card to WeChat Pay.

“I Don’t Have a Chinese Phone Number”

If you didn’t buy a Chinese SIM, you can still use WeChat/Alipay—but you’ll need a friend to help. Some travelers use “virtual phone numbers” from services like “ChinaSIM,” but they’re not always reliable. Fix: Buy a Chinese SIM at the airport. China Unicom’s “Tourist SIM” comes with 10GB of data and a local number for 99 RMB—worth it for calls and apps.

“The QR Code Isn’t Scanning”

Street vendors’ QR codes can be blurry or faded. I once stood there for 2 minutes trying to scan a jianbing seller’s code—she just laughed and handed me a cash box. Fix: If the QR code isn’t working, pull out cash. Or, ask the vendor to “refresh” the code (in Chinese: “刷新一下” —shuānxīn yīxià).

“I Need to Withdraw Cash, But the ATM Is ‘Out of Service’”

This happened to me at a small ICBC branch in the Muslim Quarter. The machine only took Chinese cards. Fix: Go to a larger bank (ICBC, Bank of China) in the city center (near the Bell Tower or South Gate). They always have foreign-card-friendly ATMs.

Chapter 4: Final Tips—Pay Smart, Travel Happy

• Download translation apps: Google Translate (with camera mode) is a lifesaver for reading menus or asking about payments.
• Keep small bills: Vendors love 10s and 20s—they’ll give you a dirty look if you try to pay for a 5 RMB snack with a 100 RMB bill.
• Check for “foreign card” signs: Big stores (like Walmart or RT-Mart) have “Visa/Mastercard Accepted” stickers. If you see one, go for it—no cash needed!
• Don’t panic: If you run out of cash, most hotels can help you find an ATM or exchange money. I asked my hotel concierge to point me to the nearest ICBC—he even walked me there!

Wrapping Up

Xi’an is a city where ancient history meets modern convenience—and that includes payments. Yes, it takes a little prep to get your cash and apps sorted, but once you do, you’ll feel like a local. By the end of my trip, I was confidently scanning QR codes for roujiamo, paying for metro rides with WeChat, and even haggling over souvenirs in broken Chinese. The key? Be prepared, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

So pack your cash, download those apps, and get ready to explore. Xi’an’s streets are waiting—and now, you know exactly how to pay for the adventure.

Happy travels! 🚇🍜🏺