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I Tried Paying With Cash in China in 2026… Nobody Wanted It? 🇨🇳
Paying With Cash in Guangzhou 2026: Nobody Wanted It?
Welcome to Guangzhou 🇨🇳
We’re exploring one of China’s biggest and most modern cities to see what daily life is really like. From cashless stores and futuristic tech to hidden local spots and street food, Guangzhou feels like a glimpse into the future.
In this video, we challenge ourselves to...
Welcome to Guangzhou 🇨🇳<br><br>We’re exploring one of China’s biggest and most modern cities to see what daily life is really like. From cashless stores and futuristic tech to hidden local spots and street food, Guangzhou feels like a glimpse into the future.<br><br>In this video, we challenge ourselves to survive using only cash in a city where almost everyone pays with their phone. Is China really becoming a cashless society… and what happens when you try to do things the old-fashioned way?<br><br>May 2026 | Vlog 613 | Guangzhou, China<br><br>21/34 China Provinces<br><br>When we finally started our adventure
In this fascinating experiment, the travelers take on Guangzhou's cashless society by trying to use only physical cash. From tech gadgets to street food, they encounter a world where digital payments dominate. Their struggle to pay without a phone offers a compelling glimpse into China's futuristic everyday life, revealing surprising reactions and cultural insights. It's a must-watch for anyone curious about the evolution of money.
Welcome to Guangzhou 🇨🇳<br><br>We’re exploring one of China’s biggest and most modern cities to see what daily life is really like. From cashless stores and futuristic tech to hidden local spots and street food, Guangzhou feels like a glimpse into the future.<br><br>In this video, we challenge ourselves to survive using only cash in a city where almost everyone pays with their phone. Is China really becoming a cashless society… and what happens when you try to do things the old-fashioned way?<br><br>May 2026 | Vlog 613 | Guangzhou, China<br><br>21/34 China Provinces<br><br>When we finally started our adventure
<paragraph>When Reanne and Ben decided to test the old cash in Guangzhou, they were braced for rejection. The experiment starts at the metro station where a helpful attendant guides them to a ticket machine that happily accepts their crumpled 100-yuan note. The vibe shifts quickly from nervous to confident as they breeze through the barrier.</paragraph><paragraph>In the massive Grand View Mall, the couple discovers a Chinese-brand trainer shop where the friendly assistant hands them a cash register without blinking. Rianne walks away with new white sneakers for under £40. This moment of triumph is followed by a queue at convenience store where the cashier does not flinch—she simply hands back change with extra snacks because she has no small coins.</paragraph><paragraph>True test arrives at a tiny bao bun stall. The elderly lady proprietor smiles warmly, takes their cash, and hands over steaming pork buns fresh from the bamboo steamer. This authentic local interaction proves that cash still thrives in the hands of small-scale street vendors who remain the true backbone of daily life. Tower block digital payments coexist with this old-school economy without drama.</paragraph><paragraph>Throughout the day Reanne and Ben discover a comforting truth: While China's cashless society is not a totalitarian monopoly. Legally, every registered business must accept cash. Even the taxi booked through DiDi has a cash option, and the driver keeps a small tip when offered change—a rare gesture in a nation fixated on exact payments. The experiment ends at an airport hotel where the couple marvels at the generous free bottles of water and a smart toilet, realizing accommodation costs far less for far more space than what you get in the West.</paragraph><paragraph>Along the way Ben admits two things he dislikes about China: the persistent public spitting and the chaotic swarm of scooters weaving onto pavements. He also reveals their plan to rent a apartment in Shenzhen or Guangdong starting July, preferring direct private landlord deals over agencies. The video closes with a subscribe plea and a lingering in front of a Misha mascot blow-up, leaving viewers with a genuine snapshot of how cash still holds a quiet seat at China's high-tech table.</paragraph>
This video challenges the common belief that China is a completely cashless society. Reanne and Ben take on the challenge of surviving a day in Guangzhou using only cash—and the results are full of surprises. From buying metro tickets at a machine to scoring bargain trainers in a huge mall, they discover that cash is still quietly accepted across the city. The couple even grab a taxi via DiDi and pay with a 100-yuan note at Starbucks, proving cash has not vanished. The experiment reveals a funny truth: China's cashless reputation is strong, but the old-fashioned paper money still does the job.
Guangzhou is not fully cashless. Reanne and Ben try to pay with only with cash and find that metro tickets, mall shops, taxis and taxis still accept it, showing
Can You Really Use Cash in China in 2026? Guangzhou Travel Experiment
1:07 Use the ticket machine (not the counter) to buy metro tickets with cash in Guangzhou—it is simple and accepts small bills.
9:00 Convenient store give change; if they don't have small coins, they sometimes add free snacks instead.
15:36 Mall shops accept cash; look for cash registers at the counter and use exact change for easier transaction.
23:41 Use Didi app and select the 'cash accepted' option to easily book taxis with cash in China's major cities.
27:16 Airport hotels near Guangzhou offer spacious rooms and many free amenities; pay cash at check-in for a smooth stay.
1:07 Use the ticket machine (not the counter) to buy metro tickets with cash in Guangzhou—it is simple and accepts small bills.
9:00 Convenient store give change; if they don't have small coins, they sometimes add free snacks instead.
15:36 Mall shops accept cash; look for cash registers at the counter and use exact change for easier transaction.
23:41 Use Didi app and select the 'cash accepted' option to easily book taxis with cash in China's major cities.
27:16 Airport hotels near Guangzhou offer spacious rooms and many free amenities; pay cash at check-in for a smooth stay.
0:01 Caching in challenge starts
1:47 Buying metro ticket with cash
8:03 Convenience store water purchase
10:03 Mall exploration and robot marathon
13:36 Trainer purchase with cash
20:11 Starbucks coffee cash experiment
21:21 Cigarette shop cash test
21:47 Bao bun stall cash success
23:10 Taxi payment with cash
27:16 Airport hotel room tour
0:01 Caching in challenge starts
1:47 Buying metro ticket with cash
8:03 Convenience store water purchase
10:03 Mall exploration and robot marathon
13:36 Trainer purchase with cash
20:11 Starbucks coffee cash experiment
21:21 Cigarette shop cash test
21:47 Bao bun stall cash success
23:10 Taxi payment with cash
27:16 Airport hotel room tour
Can you still use cash in China in 2026?
Yes, you can use cash at many places in Guangzhou, including metro ticket machines, malls, convenience stores, street food stalls, and even taxis booked through Didi.
Were the bao buns good?
They were fresh out of the steamer, hot and yummy—really good value at just 2 yuan for a meatball-style bun.
What was the most surprising thing about using cash?
That it was so easy. People were prepared for cash, especially at small stalls and shops. We expected to be rejected but almost everyone accepted cash without drama.
