I'm not interested in getting we/alipay, nor do I need to return to Shanghai.

Rather, I'd like to know about the Tier 2 and below cities, wrt cash. For example, are coins still welcome on the Chongqing metro? Bills at a Dunhuang street vendor?
Or, does the Central Committee really need me to buy those yangrouchuan with a QR code?

Already knew that Western credit cards weren't so big in the country, save for some Western hotels/hypermarkets/restaurants. But can I roll up to a Jinjiang, or similar Chinese brand hotel, and get away with not using a payment app?
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Cheers,
FFF