Where can I use cash or a foreign credit card in Shanghai?

Cash works across Shanghai, and foreign cards work on the metro and at larger businesses. Since February 1, 2026, a central bank rule bars businesses that take payment in person from refusing cash and requires them to keep reasonable change. Vending machines, self-service kiosks and orders paid entirely online may not take cash.

For foreign cards, tap a contactless UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB card at the gates on any Shanghai Metro line, or buy tickets with a card at any station's service center. Hotels, department stores, big-brand shops, the airports and major ticketed sights are where foreign cards are most likely to work; look for your card's logo at the counter. Part of the Dazhong taxi fleet has card terminals, and the Didi app accepts international credit cards.

Small restaurants, cafés, markets and street food stalls often have only a QR code, not a card reader. Pay there with cash, ideally small notes, or link your foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and scan.

• Since February 1, 2026, businesses that take payment in person can't refuse cash and must keep reasonable change.

• Contactless foreign cards work at every Shanghai Metro gate, and station service centers sell tickets by card.

• Hotels, malls, big-brand stores, the airports and major sights are the likeliest places to take foreign cards; check the counter for your card's logo.

• Small restaurants, cafés and street stalls often have only a QR code, so pay there in cash or through Alipay or WeChat Pay.

• Withdraw yuan at ATMs that show your card network's logo; each withdrawal is usually capped at ¥3,000.

• Not sure whether to install Alipay at all? See Do you need Alipay in Shanghai?

How this works

1. On the metro, tap your card — Every Shanghai Metro line has accepted contactless UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards at the gates since June 28, 2025, so you can tap in and out. A small number of card types aren't supported. Without a contactless card, buy a single-journey ticket from a ticket machine, or at the station's service center, which sells tickets by bank card and can give you small change.
2. In taxis, pay cash or book through Didi — Street taxis must take cash. Since 2024, part of the Dazhong fleet has card terminals that accept foreign cards. If you book a ride in the Didi app, you can add an international credit card under Wallet > Payment Methods.
3. At hotels, malls and big sights, look for the logo — National payment rules issued in April 2024 say three-star and higher hotels and 4A and 5A tourist sites should accept foreign cards, and Shanghai has pushed its main shopping districts, the airports and rated sights to do the same. If the counter shows the Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay logo, your card should work. If it doesn't, ask before you order.
4. At small shops and stalls, use cash or a QR code — Small restaurants, cafés, markets and street food stalls often display only a printed QR code for Alipay or WeChat Pay. They still have to take cash. Pay with ¥10 and ¥20 notes, or link your foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and scan.
5. Get cash from an ATM or a bank — Withdraw yuan at an ATM that shows your card network's logo, or change foreign cash at a bank branch with a currency exchange sign or at the exchange service points in Pudong and Hongqiao airports.

Why this is different for foreign visitors

Chinese state media sum up the payment setup for visitors as cards for large purchases, QR codes for small ones, and cash as the fallback. Since 2023, Shanghai has pushed card terminals into every metro station, star-rated hotels, rated tourist sites and the main shopping districts, and fitted part of the taxi fleet with card readers. The small end has changed less. A noodle shop or fruit stall often has only a printed QR code, which locals scan with Alipay or WeChat Pay. It has to take your cash, but it may not have a card reader.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Changing money at an airport counter without checking the rate and commission. Compare it with what an ATM withdrawal would cost, including your bank's fees.
• Paying for a ¥15 snack with a ¥100 note. Businesses have to keep reasonable change, but ¥10 and ¥20 notes are quicker for everyone.
• Ordering at a small restaurant before checking how it takes payment. If there's no card logo at the counter, plan on a QR code or cash.
• Trying to tap a card without contactless at a metro gate. Only contactless cards work there; buy a ticket at the machine or service center instead.

Frequently asked

Can a shop in Shanghai refuse cash?

Not if it takes payment in person. A central bank rule in force since February 1, 2026 bars businesses from refusing cash and requires them to keep reasonable change. Vending machines and self-service kiosks may not take notes, and orders paid entirely online follow the app's own payment options.

Can I use my Visa or Mastercard on the Shanghai Metro?

Yes. Since June 28, 2025, every Shanghai Metro line accepts contactless UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards at the gates, so you can tap in and out. A small number of card types aren't supported. Each station's service center also sells single-journey tickets and one-day and three-day passes by bank card, foreign cards included.

Do Shanghai taxis take foreign credit cards?

Some do. Since 2024, Dazhong Taxi and Bank of China have fitted part of the Dazhong fleet with card terminals that accept foreign cards. Other taxis take cash, which they can't refuse. If you book through the Didi app, you can pay with an international credit card added in the app.

Can I pay for Shanghai sights with a foreign card?

At the major ones, usually. National rules from April 2024 say 4A and 5A tourist sites should accept foreign cards and keep staffed ticket counters, and Shanghai's own plan covers ticketed sites rated 3A and up. Shanghai Disneyland's own shops and restaurants all accepted foreign credit cards by September 2023. At smaller sights, bring cash.

Where can I get cash in Shanghai?

At ATMs that show your card network's logo, including those at Pudong and Hongqiao airports. ATMs usually limit each withdrawal to ¥3,000, and your bank may set its own daily cap and fees. You can also change foreign cash at bank branches with a currency exchange sign and at service points in the international airports.