By Yan Yiran

The Payment Service Center for Overseas Visitors at Ningbo Lishe International Airport recently commenced operations, significantly improving the payment experience for international travelers.

The center is equipped with ATMs and currency exchange machines, and offers services such as RMB cash withdrawals and foreign currency exchange.

Previously, cultural differences and varying payment habits had hindered foreign visitors to China, making it difficult to locate POS machines, conduct cash transactions, and utilize mobile payment methods.

As a key hub for global trade and tourism, Ningbo is committed to providing a seamless payment experience for its international visitors and residents.

Upon arrival in China, most foreign visitors need to exchange their currency for RMB. Ningbo provides several convenient options.

Authorized institutions at the Ningbo Lishe International Airport offer a daily exchange cap of $5,000 per person. Additionally, many hotels in Ningbo allow guests to settle bills with overseas bank cards or to exchange cash between local and foreign currencies, with over 40 hotels hosting foreign currency exchange counters.

In its pursuit to modernize payment solutions, Ningbo is embracing digital financial technologies like the E-CNY, aiming to simplify transactions for international visitors further.

Foreign bank cards are accepted at over 15,000 business establishments throughout the city. Additionally, more than 1,200 bank branches offer foreign currency exchange services, and over 3,000 ATMs provide RMB withdrawals for overseas bank card holders.

Visitors also have the option to utilize mobile payment methods, including overseas e-wallets or Tour Cards linked to UnionPay. Transaction limits for platforms such as Alipay or WeChat Pay have recently been raised to $5,000 per transaction, up from $1,000, with the annual limit increased to $50,000 from the previous $10,000.

Ningbo is leading the way in piloting the E-CNY. Foreign visitors can download the E-CNY app to facilitate transactions in specified settings.

For those planning a longer stay, applying for a Chinese bank card is recommended to access a broader range of payment services.

Through the coordinated efforts of various government departments, Ningbo is continuously improving its international payment infrastructure, ensuring an increasingly effortless payment process for its foreign visitors.