How to Set Up Mobile Payments When Travelling In China
If you’re travelling to China, setting up mobile payments is one of the most important things you can do before you arrive. China has become almost completely cashless - even small noodle stalls and taxi drivers rely on QR code payments.
Don’t worry, it’s really easy! In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to set up WeChat Pay and Alipay, how foreigners can link international bank cards, and how to pay like a local while travelling in China.
Why You Need Mobile Payments in China
First things first: Why even bother? Can’t you just use cash or your credit card? The short answer is… not really.
Your travel life will be so much easier if you set up mobile payments so you can pay like a local rather than a tourist.
Cash is rarely used: Many shops and restaurants may not take cash, and if they do, they might not have change. If you use mobile payments, then there is no need to have the correct change.
Credit cards are not widely used: Even big international brands in China often don’t accept foreign cards at the counter. We learned this the hard way when we first moved there. China basically skipped cards and went straight from cash to phone.
QR codes rule: Every vendor - from convenience stores to street food stalls displays a QR code that you scan with your phone to pay.
It’s not just paying for things in shops, though. Setting up mobile payments means you will be able to buy train tickets, order food, or pay for a Didi (China’s version of Uber), which is essential for a smooth trip in China.
There are two main payment apps in China: WeChat and Alipay. I would recommend downloading and setting up both, as having a backup is always a good idea.
WeChat is the Swiss Army knife of apps in China. It’s not just for paying – you can use it for everything from messaging to booking taxis and hotels. You can even use its translate function to translate photos, menus, messages and ‘mini-programs’ so you can access more things in China.
*A mini-program is an app you can use inside of WeChat instead of downloading a separate app. For example, there is a Didi mini-program so you can use and pay straight from WeChat without having to download the Didi app.
WeChat is helpful if you plan to contact other people in China, like drivers, as everyone uses it as a communication app.
Sometimes you need someone to verify your account so you can use it. This is hard if you don’t know anyone in China to do this. What you need to do is send the QR code to a friend who:
has WeChat
has been using it for 1-6 months
has not been blocked in the last 6 months
hasn’t helped anyone register in the last 30 days - a bit of a list.
I also believe they should have a Chinese ID, but this may have changed since I last tried to help someone.
The registration itself only takes a few minutes, but finding someone who can help you to verify is the tricky part. Try and do this before you arrive, so you know if you will need to find someone to help you verify or not.
Once you are registered and ready to go, this is how to link your foreign card:
Open the app and go to ‘me’
Go to Pay and Services
Select wallet
Click Bank Cards and add a new bank card
Enter your card details and other information
Click Agree and Add
Confirm with the SMS verification code or your payment password if it is already set up
Set up a 6-digit code to pay (if you don’t have one already)
After this, you should be all set to pay!
*The biggest single transaction you can do is ¥6000, and there is a monthly limit of ¥50,000. The exchange rate is calculated based on the exchange rate of the issuing bank of the international card.
Alipay
Alipay is very similar to WeChat, but WeChat has a more social feel because you use it as a messaging service like WhatsApp, but Alipay doesn’t have this.
Alipay is great for transport, you can use it to pay on the metro, get taxis and buy train tickets.
This is how you link your foreign card on Alipay:
Open the app and go to ‘account’
Select Bank Cards
Click the + Add Bank Card in the top right corner
Enter your card details or scan it and other information
Click Agree to Terms and Add
You might need to confirm with the SMS verification code or password
*Alipay offers a maximum single transaction of ¥3000 and the exchange rate is the same as your card issuer.
Alipay Tour Card
If you are having trouble getting your card to bind or the transactions aren’t working, then there is another way to pay on Alipay.
Instead of binding your international card, you can use the Alipay Tour card. You top up your ‘tour card’ with money and it comes straight out of this balance instead. There is a 5% service fee for each top-up on this card.
All you need to do is top up your card and the transactions will come straight out of this.
If you don’t see it on your home page, then click on more
Scroll down to Fund Services
Click on ‘Tour card’
Link your foreign card
Load money into your tour card wallet.
If you can do this, then you should be able to use your card to pay normally. I would only recommend this option if you have to pay a fee every time you use your card abroad as you will only need to pay the fee when you top up, not every time you used your card.
How to pay
If you’ve never used WeChat Pay or Alipay before, paying in China is easier than it looks. There are two ways to do it, so follow the same pattern whether you’re at a shop, restaurant, street stall, taxi or train station.
1. If the merchant shows a QR code (you scan it)
Use this when a shop or stall holds up or displays a QR code.
WeChat Pay
Open WeChat.
Tap the + icon (in the top right corner).
Go to Scan
Scan the merchant’s QR code until it reads.
Confirm the payment amount on screen (it may already be filled in). Or add the correct amount.
Tap Pay / Confirm.
Authenticate with your fingerprint / Face ID or enter your payment password (a 6-digit code).
Wait for the success checkmark - show it to the merchant if needed.
Alipay
Open Alipay.
Tap Scan (prominent on the home screen).
Scan the merchant’s QR code.
Confirm the payment amount on screen (it may already be filled in). Or add the correct amount.
Tap Pay / Confirm.
Authenticate with your fingerprint / Face ID or enter your payment password (a 6-digit code).
Wait for the success checkmark - show it to the merchant if needed.
2. If the merchant wants to scan your QR code (they scan you)
Use this when the vendor asks to scan a code from your phone. This is usually the case in larger shops or restaurants where they have a scanning machine. This is also how you pay for public transport by using your QR code.
WeChat Pay
Open the app and go to ‘me’
Go to Pay and Services
Select money
It will show a payment QR code on the screen.
Let the merchant scan your code.
It should pay automatically but you may be asked to confirm and authenticate on your phone.
Alipay
Open the app and go to Pay/Receive at the top of the app.
It will show a payment QR code on the screen.
Let the merchant scan your code.
It should pay automatically but you may be asked to confirm and authenticate on your phone.
All your payments are saved under ‘transactions’, so you can refer to them later if you need to.
If you add more than one card to pay with, then you can change which card you pay with on the payment page underneath your QR code.
Foreign cards
Things to check when linking your foreign bank card:
That is compatible with WeChat and Alipay. If your card is Visa or Mastercard, you shouldn’t have an issue but they do accept other cards as well.
That your bank doesn’t charge you for international transactions.
Make sure whatever card you use has 0% transaction fees when you use it. As you will be using it for small amounts, you don’t want to pay every time. If your bank charges you, then I would suggest getting a travel card like Caxton, Revolut, Wise or Monzo. Some of these cards you top up and pay with your balance, and some cards come straight out of your bank.
I use a Monzo account, which is great for international travel.
Phone data
To use mobile payments, you will need data on your phone for the transaction to go through. Don’t rely on Wifi as it isn’t always available.
ESIM - The easiest option if your phone is compatible is to get an eSIM. This will provide you with data for your whole trip. You can pick the length of time you are going for, and it automatically has a VPN installed, so you can use all your Western apps easily.
This is great if you need data, but not a physical number. If you are only going for a short time, or if it is your first time in China, I would recommend this option.
Use my code NICOFILMS to save 5% on a Holafly eSIM.
Local Sim: When you arrive at the airport, you can get a local sim for the duration of your stay. This will give you a temporary Chinese number and access to data. This is great if you want to order things (like food online) as you will have a Chinese number.
If you are staying for a longer period, I would recommend this option. This option is cheaper but more time-consuming as there is paperwork involved and it isn’t a quick process.
Top tips
Set up payments before you arrive: It’s easier to register your details, verify your ID and receive SMS codes when you are in your home country.
Carry a power bank - you’ll use your phone for everything. Make sure it has a CCC certification; otherwise, you can’t travel on planes with it in China.
Check how they all work before you go - so that you can navigate them with ease when you get there.
Carry a little cash just in case: If your payments don’t work one day, it is good to have a backup.
Save both apps. Having both WeChat Pay and Alipay ensures you will always be able to pay.
First time in China? Then check out my ‘China 101 ebook for First Time Travellers’, it will give you all the tips you need for your trip to China.
If you need some extra help planning your trip, then get in touch, and I can help you!