Originally Posted by
IluvSQ
I am a frequent visitor to China, and have never had Alipay or Wechat. Cash is fine everywhere for taxis.
Don't let the thread in this forum scare you.
This was true in 2010.
Definitely less so in 2025.
If you've the matching amount, so they don't need to return coins/bills, you're usually fine. But besides that, most smaller shops, vendors etc. will be looking VERY puzzled if you show up with cash. And taxi drivers will probably take that 100 RMB bill for that 70 RMB ride, but won't have change..
Yes, not ALL shops, I know one scallion pancake shop where like every 10th customer or so pays cash - but that's not the norm. Cash is rare, and getting even more rare by the days. China is up there with Sweden (and other Nordic countries) about being cashless.
Outside of super touristic areas, where they still have some tourists coming up with cash (Since it became super easy to setup Alipay, I doubt many tourists will still bring cash), it's just NOT normal to use cash in China anymore.