Best Debit Cards for Everyday Use
Expand Your Credit Cards》Most Worthwhile Credit Cards for Daily Use
Let's start with the most practical advice:
The top-tier bank: ICBC
Before applying, check online via their mobile banking app whether a co-branded debit card is available. If not, just apply for any standard card—their promotions run almost weekly, usually giving you a few bucks back.
Next up is the second-tier bank: China Merchants Bank
Check if they offer any special co-branded cards. If not, grab any regular card. They typically have monthly promotions worth a few dollars, though the benefits sometimes shrink. The only real advantage is easy foreign exchange reception—you can contact customer service directly to set up instructions for receiving overseas payments.
Then there are a few cards with special perks:
Postal Savings co-branded cards (Tencent or Meituan): These often run promotions that give you free memberships or red packets, plus occasional phone bill draw events.
Finally, cards co-branded with JD Finance’s Baitiao or Xiaojinku: Automatic wealth management comes built-in, and paying through Baitiao or Xiaojinku is convenient. Think of it as a wealth management card with zero fund transaction fees, while everyday spending goes through Baitiao.
Everbright cards are also decent—they often discount utility bills like electricity payments, and frequently offer small cash rebates when you repay your credit card.
Download MYbank, log in with Alipay, and you'll usually be automatically upgraded to a MYbank Business Card. Payments and withdrawals come with no fees.
Other than Ping An—which still has a few decent promos—most other banks are extremely stingy. As for credit cards》Most Worthwhile Credit Cards for Daily Use
PS
Opening a bank account these days is quite difficult. Strict branches generally require:
1. Continuous social security contributions with proof submitted
2. You can't apply across districts (must apply in your residential area), and must provide proof of residence
After opening an account, transaction limits usually kick in: typically 1,000–5,000 RMB per transaction, max 10 transactions per day, with total daily limits ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 RMB.
If you want the easiest approval, the best option is to apply at a commercial bank first. Register through the bank's app to get a virtual card, then visit a branch in person to activate it—this basically guarantees approval. Then go to the counter and ask them to enable wealth management services. Usually, once you deposit over 100,000 RMB, they can raise your per-transaction limit to above 10,000 RMB. You'll need to chat nicely with the teller, mentioning that you do banking investments and keep deposits with them. Tellers have deposit targets, especially around month-end, so they're more willing to cooperate.
Also, be careful about how you use your card (avoid online gambling, fake transaction schemes, and other suspicious activity; try not to transact between 11 PM and 5 AM). Freezing accounts is strictly enforced. When you open a card now, you must sign an agreement beforehand. Violations like lending your card will result in a five-year ban on all banking services. It's reportedly been reported across all banks nationwide.