Recently, the Hainan branch of China UnionPay, with guidance from the Hainan Branch of the People’s Bank of China, officially released the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 Financial Payment Services Manual.

Available in both Chinese and English, the guide offers a comprehensive overview of current payment policies and facilitation measures for international visitors to the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). It aims to provide clear and practical guidance for overseas visitors and athletes coming to Sanya to compete, spectate, and vacation.

It covers all payment scenarios that overseas visitors might encounter during the Games, including international and domestic bank card payments and services, QR code transactions, RMB cash use, and digital RMB payments.

Overseas visitors holding Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay International Cards can make payments directly at roughly 12,700 POS terminals across Sanya.

The manual also introduces an innovative mobile payment solution, the “Hainan TrustPay” app, designed for vendors. It is currently being tested in taxis in Haikou and Sanya and features NFC-enabled tap-to-pay technology that allows international passengers to pay by simply tapping their cards.

As one of the most widely used payment methods in China, QR codes are explained in detail in the handbook, with multiple options tailored to different user preferences.

For first-time visitors to China, the handbook suggests downloading the “Nihao China” app by China UnionPay, designed for inbound travelers. This app enables users to connect their overseas UnionPay cards or add funds with their international bank cards.

Alternatively, international visitors can download and link their cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay, enabling payment via QR code at most merchants throughout the city.

Over 40 international e-wallets from 17 countries and regions are currently supported by Alipay and Tenpay, including Kakao Pay from South Korea and TrueMoney from Thailand, enabling direct payment. 

The first regionally branded mobile payment product in China, Hainan Wallet, offers an extra option. Overseas users can download the app, open a bank account at Bank of China branches, link and top up their accounts, and then pay via QR code.

The manual also details digital RMB (e-CNY) payment options. After downloading the international edition of the e-CNY app, overseas users can easily set up a digital wallet and link their bank cards, enabling seamless “top up as you go” payments.

Digital RMB offers various payment options, such as QR code scanning and in-app payments, and can be used for transport, retail, catering, culture, and tourism.

In addition to detailing payment options, the manual includes a “Hainan Payment Services Map.” By scanning the QR code in the top left corner of the cover upon arrival in Hainan, overseas visitors can easily find nearby foreign currency exchange banks, exchange points, and ATMs that accept foreign cards.

This offers international users a simple, centralised, and convenient payment service experience.