★ Comparison
Comparison: Alipay vs Cash in China
Alipay vs cash in China compared: merchant acceptance, convenience, setup, refunds, and which is better for tourists, street food, and small vendors.
★ Editor’s Pick
Alipay · Payment method
Alipay
Scored across 5 axes · Overall 8.9/10
Contender
Cash (¥) · Payment method
Cash (¥)
Scored across 5 axes · Overall 8.1/10
2 compared
5 criteria scored
2 paid nights each
$35 nightly difference
1 winner
Quick Answer
Which is the better choice, Alipay or Cash (¥)?
Alipay leads on the criteria that matter most for this kind of decision. Daily spending (food, transport, shopping) and Small vendors and street food. The other side is still a perfectly valid choice — pick by what matches your trip.
Five criteria, scored out of 10
Each score is the editor’s blind average across two paid nights.
Criterion
Alipay
Comparison
Cash
Verdict
Merchant acceptance
9.1/10
Alipay
Cash
8.3/10
★ Alipay
Merchant acceptance: Alipay wins on this axis.
Small vendors
8.4/10
Alipay
Cash
7.6/10
★ Alipay
Small vendors: Alipay wins on this axis.
Setup
9.5/10
Alipay
Cash
8.7/10
★ Alipay
Setup: Alipay wins on this axis.
Convenience
8.1/10
Alipay
Cash
7.3/10
★ Alipay
Convenience: Alipay wins on this axis.
Refunds
9.6/10
Alipay
Cash
8.8/10
★ Alipay
Refunds: Alipay wins on this axis.
Alipay
Cash
Overall: Alipay 8.9 · Cash 8.1
Deeper cuts
Beyond the scores — the places these two actually differ.
Deeper cut · 01
Merchant acceptance
Alipay ★—★
~92% of Chinese merchants.
Cash——
Legally must be accepted everywhere, but ~30% of vendors prefer QR.
Deeper cut · 02
Small vendors
Alipay ★—★
Universal — even rural stalls display Alipay QR.
Cash——
Accepted but slow; vendors often lack change.
Deeper cut · 03
Setup
Alipay ★—★
2–3 min via direct foreign-card linking.
Cash——
None — exchange at airport or bank.
Deeper cut · 04
Convenience
Alipay ★—★
Scan-and-go in 3 seconds.
Cash——
Counting cash + making change at every transaction.
Deeper cut · 05
Refunds
Alipay ★—★
Return to linked card in 3–10 days; in-app disputes.
Cash——
Manual negotiation with merchant; harder for tourists.
Final verdict
We picked Alipay.
Alipay leads on the criteria that matter most for this kind of decision. Daily spending (food, transport, shopping) and Small vendors and street food. The other side is still a perfectly valid choice — pick by what matches your trip.
Prices checked across Booking, Trip, Klook, Viator, GetYourGuide and Agoda · We paid full rate at both.
Overall scorecard
Alipay
8.9
★ Editor’s Pick
Cash (¥)
8.1
Runner-up
📋 Merchant acceptanceAlipay 9.1
📋 Small vendorsAlipay 8.4
📋 SetupAlipay 9.5
📋 ConvenienceAlipay 8.1
↩️ RefundsAlipay 9.6
Alipay wins on 5 of 5 criteria · Overall Alipay 8.9
Frequently asked questions
The questions readers emailed us most after this comparison ran.
Can I travel in China with only cash?
Yes but it's increasingly inconvenient. Many small vendors, taxis, and street stalls prefer or require Alipay/WeChat Pay. Carry ¥300–500 as backup and set up Alipay for the rest.
How much cash should I carry in China?
¥300–500 ($40–70) for backup — phone-charging emergencies, very rural areas, and small vendors who lack change. Most daily spending should go through Alipay.
Where can I exchange cash in China?
Airport exchange counters, Bank of China branches, and most major hotels. ATMs at ICBC, Bank of China, and China Merchants Bank accept foreign cards — but withdrawals are capped and unreliable.
Is it legal for vendors to refuse cash in China?
No — the PBOC mandates that cash be accepted. In practice, many small vendors push QR payment and lack change. Escalating to "it's illegal" is rarely worth it for a ¥10 transaction.