Taxi payments in China

Generally, taxi drivers in mainland China do not commonly accept direct credit card payments. While you might find some taxis equipped with point-of-sale (POS) machines, particularly in major cities like Beijing, it is not a universal standard.

Mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant payment methods for taxis and most other transactions in China. These apps allow you to link your international credit card (Visa and Mastercard) and pay by scanning QR codes provided by the taxi driver. According to English.gov.cn, Alipay also allows foreigners to use their home e-wallets by scanning Alipay QR codes.

Summary
Mobile payment is king: Alipay and WeChat Pay are the primary payment methods, even for taxis.
Credit card acceptance is limited: Don't rely solely on your credit card for taxi payments.
Cash is a backup: While less common, most drivers will still accept cash.
Consider a transportation card: In cities like Beijing, transportation cards are accepted by taxis.

Recommendation
To ensure a smooth taxi experience in China, it is highly recommended that you:
Download and set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip. You can link your international credit card to these apps.

Some international e-wallets like TrueMoney and Changi Pay are also accepted by merchants in China, allowing foreigners to pay without downloading other apps.

Carry some cash (RMB) as a backup, especially for smaller businesses or in areas with limited mobile payment infrastructure.
Consider a city-specific transportation card if you plan on using taxis frequently in a particular city.

According to Trip.com Singapore, when using Didi Chuxing, you can link your foreign credit card to the app and have the payment auto-deducted, eliminating the need for direct interaction with the taxi driver regarding payment methods.

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