Shanxi enhances payment service for intl tourists
Updated: 2026-01-26
Under the strategic guidance of the Shanxi Provincial Branch of the People's Bank of China since 2025, an extensive payment service network has rapidly expanded across Shanxi province.
This network covers a wide range of scenarios including dining, accommodation, transportation, tourism, shopping, entertainment, and healthcare, creating a diverse, inclusive, and convenient payment environment for both domestic and international tourists.
Currently, the province has established eight provincial-level and 12 city-level payment service demonstration zones, forming a comprehensive service framework that extends payment convenience from transportation hubs and key tourist attractions to commercial areas and communities.
To address the different payment habits of domestic and international tourists, the branch has implemented a strategy of "large transactions via card, small transactions via QR code scan, and cash as a fallback". This approach accommodates the diverse payment needs of various groups.
The environment for foreign card payments has been continuously optimized, with the number of sites accepting foreign cards reaching 70,000, including approximately 14,000 key commercial entities. The acceptance network for foreign cards has expanded significantly, with notable improvements in coverage rates among major commercial areas and tourist attractions.
In 2025, the province processed 858,000 transactions by international visitors (including both foreign card and mobile payments), totaling 170 million yuan ($24.44 million) – reflecting year-on-year increases of 112.3 percent and 93.0 percent, respectively. Cash services remain robust, with 819 bank branches supporting foreign currency exchange and 62 dedicated foreign currency exchange points established across the province.



