Paying in China in short
For a first trip to China, Alipay and WeChat Pay are more important than a classic credit card. Visa or Mastercard may not work reliably at everyday terminals, but they can be linked as payment methods inside Alipay and WeChat Pay.
I would install both apps before departure, add the card, complete identity checks, look at the payment code and get familiar with the app. China is not the place where you want to fight with SMS codes, card verification and weak mobile data for the first time.
My practical setup
Set up Alipay first and then add WeChat Pay as a backup. For me, a linked Wise Visa card worked in Alipay and WeChat Pay. I would still carry a second card and some cash.
The important part is not knowing every app function. What matters is that you have a working payment code. In practice, payments usually happen by QR code: either you scan the merchant code, or the cashier scans your code.
Wise card as a practical backup
I use a Wise card myself. For China, it is not a replacement for Alipay or WeChat Pay, but it fits well as an additional card next to your home bank card and some cash.
The useful part is the digital card setup: you can create a digital card quickly, use it for online payments or app linking, and freeze or unfreeze it in the app when needed. If a card number is stored somewhere, this gives you more control than relying on one physical card only.
- digital card for online payments and app linking
- more control when a card number is stored with services
- quick freezing and unfreezing in the app
Set this up before you travel
Install Alipay and WeChat at home, sign in and check that SMS codes arrive. Update the apps before you travel.
Add Visa or Mastercard, complete identity verification and, if possible, make a small test payment or at least check the payment code.
Enable the card for China, check foreign payment limits, allow online payments and make sure SMS or banking app approvals work abroad.
Also useful: a second card, some yuan in cash and mobile internet through eSIM or roaming. A working app is good. A second card and working banking approval are better.
Alipay in China as a tourist
Alipay is often the easiest starting point for travellers. The international version is built for overseas visitors, international bank cards are supported, and the app can be used for shops, restaurants, taxis, hotels, public transport and other travel situations.
In practice this means: link your card, open the payment code, scan a QR code or let the cashier scan your code. For many everyday situations, Alipay already gets you very far.
Important: with an international card, Alipay is mainly for everyday purchases. Features such as person to person transfers, red packets, wealth management or similar financial services can be restricted for foreign travellers.
WeChat Pay with an international credit card
WeChat Pay, also called Weixin Pay in mainland China, is also important because many people, small providers and services run through WeChat. International cards can be used for everyday purchases in mainland China. Some features such as transfers, red packets or sending money may still be restricted with international cards.
You do not necessarily need a Chinese phone number for WeChat Pay. What matters is that your international number can receive SMS codes and that you can complete identity verification with your passport or another accepted document.
So do not treat WeChat Pay with an international card like PayPal or Wise. It is useful for paying merchants. It is not the reliable way for many short term foreign visitors to send money back and forth between friends.
Fees, limits and splitting bills
When paying with an international card, Alipay and WeChat Pay may charge fees. Small single payments under 200 yuan are often exempt from the 3 percent fee. For higher single payments, a fee may appear. The payment screen in the app is what matters.
International cards can have daily, monthly or annual limits. Your home bank may also have limits. For normal daily purchases this is usually fine, but keep it in mind for longer stays, hotel deposits or larger bookings.
If two travellers share a hotel room or meal, do not expect Alipay or WeChat Pay to work like PayPal or Wise. Person to person transfers with international cards are often restricted. Better options are cash, later PayPal or Wise settlement, or one person paying and the other reimbursing later.
Credit card, PayPal, cash and ATMs
Visa or Mastercard may work in larger hotels, better shops or tourist areas. For small shops, taxis and restaurants, I would not rely on direct card payment. What matters more is that the card is linked properly inside Alipay or WeChat Pay.
A normal PayPal account is not the standard solution for Alipay or WeChat Pay. The connection between PayPal and Weixin Pay is being expanded, but it is not rolling out to every market at the same time. PayPal is more useful as a backup for online bookings, for example when Trip.com offers PayPal for hotels or other travel services.
In my experience, cash still works in far more places in China than many travellers expect, often even in hotels. I have paid for a hotel in China in cash without any problem. Still, cash is not my first choice: exchanging money can be poor value, ATMs can be annoying, and mobile payments are much easier in daily life.
Before travelling, enable your card and backup card for China, check limits, remove foreign transaction blocks and test SMS or banking app approvals. A working app is good. A second card, some cash and working banking approval are better.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
On my first trip to China, I was completely unprepared for payments. I entered China through Korgas and later needed money while I was in Xining. At first I exchanged cash. It worked, but the rate was not especially attractive and today it would not be my first choice.
After that I walked around the city looking for a bank where my Visa card would work. Four ATMs simply gave me no cash. Only at the fifth bank, the Bank of China, did the withdrawal work. Since then, when I need Chinese yuan, I go straight to Bank of China.
That does not mean every other bank is useless. It means you should not blindly expect the first ATM to work with your foreign card. Bring a second card, check your daily limit, enable foreign use and allow enough time if you need cash.
Taxis, small shops and daily use
With taxis, you need to pay attention: if you order one through Didi or another app and want to pay in cash, check the payment option. If Cash can be selected, a taxi that accepts cash should arrive. In everyday travel, it is usually easier to let the payment run through Alipay or Didi.
For travellers this is very comfortable. You do not need to search for change all the time, prices are shown clearly, and many small situations can be handled with the phone. A small cash backup is still useful, because technology, card checks or mobile reception can always become annoying for a moment.
More about the ride itself is on the Taxis in China page. For mobile internet, see eSIM and internet in China.
FAQ: Paying in China
Does Alipay work in China for foreigners?
Yes. Alipay can be used by foreign travellers and supports international bank cards. Still, set it up before departure, link your card and check the setup before you need it in China.
Does WeChat Pay work with an international credit card?
WeChat Pay can work with international cards for everyday purchases in China. Some features such as money transfers, red packets and sending money may be restricted with international cards.
Can I link PayPal to Alipay or WeChat Pay?
A normal PayPal account is currently not the reliable standard way to use Alipay or WeChat Pay like a credit card. PayPal and Weixin Pay are being connected more closely, but not for all markets at the same time. For China, I would see PayPal as a backup for online bookings, not as the main way to pay in shops.
Why can PayPal still be useful with Trip.com?
If Alipay or WeChat Pay does not work, PayPal can be a real relief for online bookings. For hotel bookings and other travel services, Trip.com often offers several payment methods depending on the booking and platform. That makes Trip.com useful as a backup next to the Chinese payment apps.
Are there fees with Alipay and WeChat Pay?
Yes, fees can apply when using international cards. Small single payments under 200 yuan are often exempt from the 3 percent fee. For higher payments, a fee may appear. Always check the payment screen before confirming.
Can I split a bill with friends using Alipay or WeChat Pay?
As a foreign tourist using an international card, I would not plan on it. Person to person transfers, red packets and similar features can be restricted. If you share a hotel room or meal, PayPal, Wise, cash or later settlement is often more realistic.
Should I prepare my bank before travelling to China?
Yes. Enable your card for China and online payments, check limits, bring a backup card and test whether SMS or banking app approvals work abroad. Many payment problems start with your home bank, not in China.
Can I pay with Visa or Mastercard in China?
Direct payment with Visa or Mastercard can work in some larger hotels and tourist areas. In normal daily life it is more reliable to link the card inside Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Can I withdraw cash from an ATM in China?
Yes, but not every ATM works with every foreign card. On my first China trip, several ATMs did not accept my Visa card. Only Bank of China worked for me. Since then, Bank of China is my first stop when I need yuan in cash.
Do I need cash in China?
Yes, as backup. I would carry a few hundred yuan. Cash is not my main payment method, but it helps if the app, card, network or payment code does not work. Cash payment may also be possible in hotels.
Can I pay cash in Didi or in a taxi?
It can work if the app offers a suitable taxi category or a payment option such as Cash. Then a taxi that accepts cash should arrive. Still, app payment through Alipay, WeChat Pay or Didi is usually easier in daily use.
Should I install Alipay and WeChat Pay only after arriving in China?
No. Install both apps before departure. Link your card, complete verification, check SMS reception and get familiar with the payment code, scan function and app language.
What should I do if Alipay or WeChat Pay does not work?
Check mobile data, the linked card, identity verification and payment limits. A second card, cash, a Bank of China ATM, PayPal for online bookings or help from your hotel can save the situation.
My conclusion
For me, paying in China with Alipay and WeChat Pay is now easier than expected. The decisive point is preparation before the trip: install the apps, link your card, complete verification, know the payment code and carry cash as backup.