Money & Payments in Lijiang (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Street food stalls, wet markets, small taxis, temples, some tourist sites, and rural areas either want cash or only take it. If your phone dies or your payment app glitches, cash is what gets you out of trouble.
While China is major destination for business-people and tourists alike, credit cards aren't as widely accepted as you'd expect. Sure, your plastic will normally be welcomed in high-end hotels and restaurants. But cash is very much king almost everywhere else.
Link your international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival if possible — most Lijiang vendors accept mobile payments via QR code, making them more practical than physical cards for daily use.
Because most ATMs are located in bank lobbies and shopping centres, they aren't accessible 24 hours a day. Many ATMs also tend to run out of cash at the weekend, so it's best to think ahead and get cash during the week.
In Lijiang's Old Town, many small family-run accommodations and restaurants operate primarily on cash or mobile payment — keep small denominations (¥50–100 notes) for these transactions.

Available Banks

Branch Availability In Lijiang: Major state-owned banks have limited branch presence in Lijiang; call in advance to confirm

Foreign Banks

HSBC
Citibank
Standard Chartered

Major State Owned

Bank of China (BOC)
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
China Construction Bank (CCB)
Bank of Communications
Agricultural Bank of China (ABC)

Account Opening Requirements

Chinese Mobile Number Required: Yes
Local Address Required: Yes
In Person Visit Required: Yes
Valid Passport Minimum Validity: 6+ months
Temporary Residence Registration Required: Yes

Visa Type Accepted

Work (Z)
Student (X1/X2)
Family Reunion (Q)
Private Affairs (S)
Talent (R)

Visa Type Rejected

Tourist (L)

Tipping Norms

Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers is not expected.
Hotels: You can always tip staff working in front-of-house services an extra CN¥20–50, especially housekeeping staff or bellhops.
Restaurants: Tipping is not expected in restaurants. If you wish to leave a tip for exceptional service, it is not customary to leave it on the table; instead, discreetly hand it to the waiter.
Tour Guides: Tour guides and associated drivers are exceptions where tipping is common for good service.
General Culture: In China, traditionally there is no tipping. However, hotels that routinely serve foreign tourists allow tipping, as do tour guides and associated drivers.
Key Cultural Note: In China tipping is not customary. If you insist on leaving a tip this may be seen as rude - and can cause acute embarrassment even if you think someone should be rewarded extra for their work.

Card Acceptance

Mobile Payment

Alipay Wechat Pay: Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere, from restaurants and taxis to street vendors and metro stations. Foreigners can now use Alipay and WeChat Pay with international bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover).
Recommended For Travelers: Both apps work with international cards linked via their tourist/international versions. Alipay's 'Tour Pass' feature is popular for foreign travelers.

Credit Debit Cards

Best Practice: Look for your card's logo at checkout before attempting payment. High-end hotels in Lijiang's Old Town and modern shopping areas will typically accept Visa/Mastercard.
Where Accepted: Hotels, large shopping malls, and international brand stores accept bank cards. Major card types such as Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay are commonly supported. Card payment is less common in small shops and restaurants, and street food stalls.

ATM And Cash Withdrawal

Withdrawal Limits: As a general rule, however, you can withdraw CNY 2,500 per transaction and a maximum of CNY 20,000 per day.
Foreign Card Compatibility: Bank of China (中国银行) — The most foreigner friendly. English menu is clear, the machines are everywhere, and foreign card acceptance is the most consistent of all Chinese banks. Typically you want to find a Bank of China, China Merchant's Bank or ICBC.
Important Notes: Some ATMs will ask if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of RMB. Say no. Always choose RMB. Let your own bank do the currency conversion. The ATM's conversion rate is always worse and comes with hidden fees. Because each withdrawal carries fixed fees, it is cheaper to take out a larger amount fewer times rather than small sums repeatedly.

Fees

Fee Details: The Chinese bank fee: 20 to 30 RMB per transaction. This is what the ATM owner charges. It is the same at Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China. Your home bank fee: On top of that, your own bank charges you. This could be a flat fee (usually $2 to $5 USD per withdrawal) or a percentage (1% to 3% of the amount).
Chinese ATM Fee: CN¥25

Account Types

Minimum Deposit: Varies by bank; typically no minimum for basic RMB savings account
Personal Savings Account: Standard option for expats
Notes: Most foreigners need to show the Temporary Residence Registration form issued by the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of moving in .

Practical Guidance

Major state-owned banks like Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank have extensive experience with international customers and offer more robust international services . Visit the bank early in the day as queues can be lengthy.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Lijiang

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Lijiang