How do I pay?

Cash is legal but 95% of Hubei runs on QR codes. Ten minutes of setup makes everything else work.

Step by step

1. Install Alipay. Register with your home phone number.
2. Tap Account → Bank Cards → add your Visa / Mastercard / Amex / JCB. Verify with passport photo.
3. Do the same in WeChat (Weixin) Pay as a backup — some small stalls only take WeChat.
4. In Alipay, open 'Transport' and enable the Wuhan Metro QR; open 'DiDi' for taxis; 'Bike' for shared bikes.
5. Test with a ¥3 breakfast. Payments under ¥200 have no foreign-card fee; larger ones carry about 3%.

Local tips

• The old Alipay Tour Pass is gone — direct card binding replaced it.
• If a QR fails, say 刷不了 (shuā bu liǎo) and offer cash; vendors must accept RMB by law.
• Keep some small notes for temple donations and street stalls.

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