UnionPay in China: A Tourist’s Practical Guide from Xi’an

I landed in Xi’an on a crisp autumn morning, my first time in this ancient city. The excitement of exploring the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter quickly hit a snag when I tried to pay for a taxi at the airport—my Visa card was declined. “Sorry, only UnionPay,” the driver said, pointing to a blue-and-white logo on the meter. I fumbled for cash, but I’d barely exchanged any currency. That’s when I realized: to travel in China, UnionPay isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Over two weeks exploring Xi’an, I learned the ins and outs of China’s dominant payment system, and today, I’m sharing what every tourist needs to know, straight from a fellow traveler who’s been there.

First things: What exactly is UnionPay?

UnionPay (银联, Yínlián in Chinese) is China’s only domestic bank card association, launched in 2002. Think of it as China’s version of Visa or Mastercard—but with one key difference: it’s everywhere in China. While international cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) work in big hotels, airports, or high-end malls, they often flop in small shops, local restaurants, or street markets—places where you’ll actually spend most of your time as a tourist.

UnionPay in China: A Tourist’s Practical Guide from Xi’an

UnionPay cards come in two main types: debit (借记卡, jièjìkǎ) and credit (信用卡, xìnyòngkǎ). Both are widely accepted, but debit cards are more common for everyday transactions. The logo is easy to spot: a red rectangle with “UnionPay” in white English letters and “银联” in Chinese. If you see that logo, you’re good to go.

Why UnionPay is a tourist’s best friend in Xi’an

Xi’an is a city of contrasts: towering skyscrapers next to ancient alleyways, fancy malls next to street stalls where vendors steam baozi (steamed buns) over charcoal grills. In these local spots, cash is king—but lugging around wads of RMB (yuan) is a hassle. UnionPay solves this.

Take my first day in the Muslim Quarter (回民街, Huí Mín Jiē). I wanted to try roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers) from a street cart, but the vendor only took cash or UnionPay. I had neither—until I remembered my UnionPay debit card. I swiped it, entered my 6-digit PIN, and moments later, I was holding a juicy, fragrant roujiamo for just 12 RMB (about $1.70). No fumbling for coins, no awkward “do you take dollars?” moments.

Later, at the Terracotta Army ticket office, the cashier handed me a ticket after I tapped my UnionPay card—no waiting in line to exchange cash. Even at a tiny tea shop near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the owner smiled when I pulled out my UnionPay card. “UnionPay, okay!” she said, pointing to the logo on her ancient-looking POS machine.

How to use UnionPay: A step-by-step guide

Using UnionPay is simple, but if you’ve never used it, here’s what to expect—based on my own trial-and-error in Xi’an.

Before you go: Get a UnionPay card

If you’re from outside China, your best bet is to check if your home bank offers a UnionPay-enabled card. Many banks in Asia, Europe, and even some in the U.S. now issue UnionPay cards. For example, Bank of China’s overseas branches or DBS in Singapore offer UnionPay cards with no foreign transaction fees in China.

If your bank doesn’t offer one, don’t worry—you can get a UnionPay card after arriving in China. Most major banks in China (like ICBC, China Construction Bank, or Bank of China) allow foreigners to open UnionPay debit accounts with just your passport and a temporary residence permit (some banks may require a hotel address or a local contact). I did this at ICBC in Xi’an: it took 30 minutes, a 50 RMB fee, and I walked out with a debit card linked to a local account. I added 1,000 RMB via cash deposit, and I was set.

Pro tip: Bring a small amount of cash (100–200 RMB) for emergencies—like street vendors who only take cash or rural areas with poor signal for mobile payments.

Using UnionPay at stores: Swipe, insert, or tap

In Xi’an, most shops use chip-and-PIN cards (not swipe). Here’s how it works:

• Insert your card into the POS machine (don’t swipe—Chinese machines use chips).
• Wait for the screen to prompt you: “请输入密码” (Please enter password) or “挥卡支付” (Tap to pay).
• For most transactions (over 100 RMB), you’ll enter your 6-digit PIN. For small purchases (under 100 RMB), many machines support “QuickPass” (闪付, shǎnfù)—just tap your card on the POS machine like you would with Apple Pay or Google Pay. No PIN needed!

I used QuickPass all the time in Xi’an: grabbing a 5 RMB bottle of water at a convenience store, paying 30 RMB for a bus ticket, or buying 80 RMB worth of souvenirs at a silk shop near the Bell Tower. It’s faster than cash and more reliable than relying on mobile apps (more on that later).

ATMs: Cash, but with a catch

Need cash? UnionPay ATMs are everywhere in Xi—at airports, malls, subway stations, and even 7-Elevens. Most ATMs accept international UnionPay cards, but some smaller ones (in rural areas or neighborhood alleys) may only work with Chinese cards.

Here’s what to know:

• Language: ATMs let you choose Chinese or English. Always pick English—unless you’re fluent in Mandarin!
• Fees: Your home bank may charge a foreign ATM fee (mine charged $5 per withdrawal). Chinese banks may also add a small fee (10–20 RMB). To minimize costs, withdraw larger amounts less often (I took out 2,000 RMB at a time to cover 3–4 days).
• Daily limits: Most ATMs cap withdrawals at 2,000–5,000 RMB per day (check your bank’s limit). If you need more, go to a bank branch—they can often raise the limit temporarily.

My story: I ran out of cash on a rainy night in the Qujiang District. The nearest ATM was inside a Bank of China branch—luckily, it was open 24/7. I inserted my UnionPay card, selected English, entered my PIN, and withdrew 3,000 RMB. The machine spat out crisp, new bills—perfect for tipping hotel staff or buying street food.

Mobile payments: UnionPay vs. Alipay/WeChat

You’ve probably heard of Alipay and WeChat Pay—China’s two biggest mobile payment apps. Many tourists in Xi’an try to use them, but here’s the catch: you need a Chinese phone number and a bank account linked to Alipay/WeChat to use them easily. UnionPay, however, integrates with mobile payments in a tourist-friendly way.

If you have an Apple, Samsung, or Huawei phone, you can add your UnionPay card to your wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.). Then, just like at a store, you can tap your phone on any POS machine with QuickPay support. I did this at a Starbucks in the Xi’an North Railway Station—tapped my phone, paid 35 RMB for a latte, and kept walking. No app to open, no QR code to scan.

Some local shops also support “UnionPay QR codes”—a black-and-white QR code you can scan with your bank’s app (if it’s available in your country). For example, my U.S. bank’s app lets me scan UnionPay QR codes in China, just like I would with Venmo or PayPal. It’s not as common as Alipay/WeChat, but it’s growing—especially in tourist areas like the Muslim Quarter or the Shaanxi History Museum.

Common UnionPay pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Even with UnionPay, I ran into a few hiccups in Xi’an. Here’s what to watch out for:

“This card isn’t accepted”

In high-end malls or international hotel chains, you might see Visa/Mastercard logos—but don’t assume they work. I tried to pay for a massage at a fancy spa near the Terracotta Army with my Visa, and the cashier shook her head. “Only UnionPay,” she said. Lesson: always check for the UnionPay logo first. If you don’t see it, ask if they take international cards—but have cash as a backup.

Forgotten PIN

UnionPay uses 6-digit PINs, not 4-digit like some countries. I accidentally entered my 4-digit PIN once and locked my card for 24 hours (thankfully, I had cash to get by). Before you go, memorize your 6-digit PIN—or write it down and keep it separate from your card.

“No signal” moments

Xi’an’s subway has no signal, and some rural areas (like the Huaqing Hot Springs outside the city) have spotty 4G. If you rely on mobile payments (like Alipay/WeChat), you’re stuck. But UnionPay cards work offline—you can still insert/tap them even without signal. That’s why I always carried my physical UnionPay card, not just my phone.

Final tips: UnionPay + cash = the perfect combo

After two weeks in Xi’an, my payment routine was simple: UnionPay for almost everything (food, tickets, shopping), plus a small emergency stash of cash (200 RMB) for street vendors or rural areas. It worked like a charm—I never once had to worry about “do they take my card?”

So, if you’re heading to Xi’an (or anywhere in China), here’s my advice:

• Get a UnionPay card before you go (check with your bank) or open one in China—takes 30 minutes, no hassle.
• Learn the logo: Red rectangle with “UnionPay” and “银联”—if you see it, you can pay.
• Carry 200 RMB cash: For tiny street stalls or “signal dead zones.”
• Use QuickPay: It’s fast, easy, and no PIN needed for small purchases.

Xi’an is a city of ancient wonders and modern convenience—and with UnionPay, you can focus on what matters: biting into a roujiamo while watching the sunset over the city walls, not stressing about how to pay. Trust me, once you swipe that card for the first time, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled without it.