For tourists visiting Changsha from overseas, there are several payment options available: bank cards, mobile payments, and cash.
Payment with Bank Cards
If you possess bank cards from UnionPay, VISA, MasterCard,AMERICAN EXPRESS, JCB, or other major providers, you can use them for transactions at various establishments such as airports, hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Look for merchants displaying relevant logos indicating card acceptance.Ifunsure, feel free to inquire with the cashier about card acceptance.
Cash Payment
For cash transactions, you can exchange your foreign currency into Chinese Renminbi (RMB) through four channels:
1.Bank Outlets: Visit banks displaying “Currency Exchange” signs with your valid personal identification to exchange foreign currency,
obtain RMB change, or inquire about exchange rates.
2.Self-Service Devices: Use Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) or Cash Recycling Systems (CRS) bearing logos corresponding to your
foreign bank cards to withdraw RMB cash directly. Each transaction is capped at RMB 3,000 (subject to personal card limits).
3.Authorized Foreign Currency Exchange Agencies: Exchange foreign currency cash directly for RMB cash at authorized foreign currency exchange agencies displaying a “Currency Exchange” sign.Each person can exchange up to the equivalent of USD 5,000 cumulatively per day, and the cumulative amount of foreign currency cash that overseas individuals can exchange for RMB cash annually shall not exceed the equivalent of USD 50,000. These agencies are commonly found at airports, ports, and other locations.The single transaction
amount cannot exceed RMB 3,000 (subject to personal card limits).
4.Foreign Currency Exchange Points: Commonly found in foreign-related hotels and other establishments, these points support one-way exchange of foreign currency cash for RMB cash. The total amount of foreign currency exchange per person is limited to RMB 10,000 per day and RMB 50,000 per year. Daily limits apply, with each person allowed to exchange up to the equivalent of RMB 10,000 per day and up to the equivalent of RMB 50,000 per year.
Mobile Payments
There are three mobile payment methods available:
UnionPay: Download the UnionPay App and register your account. If registering within China, please ensure that your cell phone has international roaming enabled to receive the registration SMS, or complete the registration before entering the country.
Alipay: Download the Alipay App, register an account, and link your overseas bank card from a major international card organization to embark on your journey of convenient mobile payments in China.
WeChat Pay: If you have an overseas bank card, simply download the WeChat App, register your account, and link your overseas bank card for easy mobile payments.
Mobile Communication
Before embarking on your journey to Changsha, it's advisable forforeign visitors to consult with their mobile service provider toenable international roaming and long-distance services. in HongKong and Macau, some operators offer Alternate Line Service (ALS)allowing tourists to seamlessly convert to an 1l-digit mainlandnumber upon arrivalin Changsha.
For foreign visitors wishing to obtain a local SlM card inChangsha:
1.Application channels: Visit the business outlets of China MobileChina Telecom, or China Unicom.
2.Valid Documents
The required valid documents for personal real-name registrationoftelephone users are as follows:
(1)Residents from Hong Kong , Macau and Taiwan should presenttheir Residence Permit .
(2)Foreign citizens should provide their passports or permanentresidence identity cards. The requirements for checking permanentresidence identity cards are equivalent to those for resident identitycards.
Applicable channels for documents
China Mobile and China Unicom: Residence Permit for Hong Kongand Macau Residents, Residence Permit for Taiwan Residentspassport for foreign citizens, and Permanent Residence ldentityCard for Foreigners are only acceptedat self-operated outlets.Actuaacceptance may vary depending on the specific situation at theservice counter.
China Telecom: Residence Permit for Hong Kong and MacauResidents, Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, passport forforeign citizens, Permanent Residence ldentity Card for Foreignersas well as employer certificates/community certificates are onlyaccepted at self-operated outlets. Actual acceptance may varydependingonthespecific situation at the service counter.
