Money & payments
Set up payments the night before. Then learn what is (and is not) expected at the table.
We have not yet written a Shenzhen page in this chapter. The China-wide guides below already apply.
Related China-wide guides
How to Set Up Alipay and WeChat Pay in China With a Foreign Card
You do not need a Chinese bank account for everyday QR payments. Set both apps up at home, link a Visa or Mastercard, and know the 3% fee on single payments over ¥200. Step-by-step, from official visitor guidance.
China essentials · ToolsThe Night-Before Payment and App Checklist for China
A tick-as-you-go list: Alipay, WeChat Pay, your bank, Amap, a data plan, a Chinese address card, and a tiny test payment. Do this at home, while SMS still works.
China · MoneyTipping and Bargaining in China: You Usually Do Not Tip, and You Only Bargain Where It Is Expected
Tipping is not a standard part of dining or taxis in mainland China. Bargaining belongs in markets, not in supermarkets or metro stations. A clear, no-nonsense guide.
China essentials · MoneyCash versus Cards in China: What Leftover Cash Is Still For
Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card will cover most of a tourist day. You still want a little cash and a backup ATM card. Approximate only; we do not invent an ATM-fee table.