1. Bank Card Payment

Cards issued in your home country or region can be accepted if the checkout counter displays the logos of UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, and other payment organizations (see the picture below). If not, please ask the cashier whether your card is accepted. If you hold a UnionPay card issued outside the Chinese mainland, it can be accepted at any merchant POS terminal on the mainland.

2. Cash Payment

If you want to pay in cash, there are two main ways to obtain RMB cash.

2.1 Cash Withdrawal

You can withdraw RMB using your bank card at an ATM or CRS with the corresponding international payment network logos (see pictures below).

All ATMs and CRSs in Shanghai support cash withdrawal using UnionPay cards.

Each ATM usually imposes a single withdrawal limit (3,000 yuan). Your overseas card-issuing bank may set its own daily or monthly cash withdrawal limits for overseas use. Please check with your card issuer in advance.

2.2 Currency Exchange

If you need cash, you can also exchange it directly at bank branches with currency exchange signs, at outlets of qualified financial institutions, or at self-service kiosks. Please consult the staff for the currencies available.

3. Mobile Payment

In Shanghai, you can enjoy convenient mobile payment with Alipay, Weixin Pay, UnionPay, or your overseas e-wallets. Please call the English Service Hotlines if you have any questions or need further information.

For overseas visitors linking international bank cards to Alipay or Weixin Pay, transaction limits are set by regulatory authorities at a maximum of $5,000 per transaction and $50,000 per year.

3.1 UnionPay App

3.2 Alipay

Related: How to use Alipay

3.3 Weixin Pay

Related: How to use Weixin Pay

3.4 UnionPay-powered Wallet Apps

3.5 Alipay+Overseas E-wallets

4. E-CNY Payment

You can register on the e-CNY app and open an e-CNY wallet using your overseas mobile phone number, then top up the wallet with your Visa or Mastercard before making a payment. Any remaining balance in the wallet can be transferred back to the overseas bank card. The detailed processes are as follows:

5. Opening RMB Bank Account

You can open an RMB bank account at bank branches in Shanghai with valid identification.

Valid identification documents include: a passport, the People's Republic of China Foreigner's Permanent Resident ID Card, and other identification documents mandated by law and administrative regulations.

Updated July 24, 2026

Source: WeChat account of the People's Bank of China Shanghai Head Office