WeChat Pay & Alipay for Tourists in China

I remember my first trip to China. I walked into a small noodle shop in Beijing, pulled out my credit card, and the lady behind the counter just laughed at me. Not in a mean way — she genuinely found it funny that I thought a card would work in a two-table noodle joint. She pointed at a QR code taped to the wall and said something in Chinese I didn’t understand.

That was 2016. I ended up having to Venmo a friend who was with me, and she paid with her phone. It was the moment I realized China had leapfrogged the entire Western payment system.

Fast forward to 2026. Nearly every single transaction in China — from a ¥3 bottle of water at a street stall to a ¥500 hotel booking — goes through either WeChat Pay or Alipay. Cash is still technically legal tender, but good luck getting change at most places. And foreign credit cards? Outside of five-star hotels and airport shops, don’t count on them.

This guide covers exactly how to set up both apps as a foreigner, what’s changed in 2024-2026, and the workarounds I’ve discovered from a decade of getting this wrong so you don’t have to.

Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay and Alipay?

#

Short answer: Yes, but it’s been complicated.

In 2019, Alipay quietly launched the Tour Pass — a way for foreigners to load money using an international card. It worked, but had a 90-day expiry on balances. In 2023-2024, both Alipay and WeChat Pay opened up more to foreign cards after the Chinese government pushed for better international traveler support. Then in 2024, both apps significantly expanded foreign Visa/Mastercard support.

Current state (mid-2026): You can bind a foreign Visa or Mastercard to both apps. In theory. In practice, Alipay handles foreign cards way better than WeChat Pay does. WeChat Pay’s foreign card support still drops transactions randomly — especially for smaller merchants. I’ll explain the workaround for that.

My advice: Get both. Alipay will be your daily driver. WeChat Pay is a backup — plus you need WeChat anyway for messaging and Didi (China’s Uber).

Alipay Setup for Foreigners (The Easy One)

#

Start with Alipay. It’s simpler, more reliable, and has an English interface that actually works.

Step 1: Download and Install

#

Install Alipay from your app store before you arrive in China. The app is available globally — just search “Alipay” on the App Store or Google Play.

Pro tip: Download it while you still have your home internet. The Chinese app stores don’t always have the international version.

Step 2: Register with Your Phone Number

#

Open the app and tap “Register.” Use your home country phone number — it works fine for receiving verification codes. You can switch to a Chinese number later if you get a local SIM, but you don’t need to.

The app should detect your device language and offer English. If not, go to Settings → Language and switch to English.

Step 3: Find the “Tour Pass” or “International” Option

#

Here’s where it gets specific. Alipay now has a dedicated onboarding flow for international users:

1. Tap “Me” (bottom right) → “Settings” (gear icon, top right)
2. Look for “Payment Settings” or “Add Card”
3. Select “International Tourist” or search for “Tour Pass” in the search bar
4. If you see “外卡充值” (Foreign Card Top-Up), that’s the one

Step 4: Verify Your Identity

#

This is the part that takes some time. You’ll need:

• Your passport
• A selfie (facial recognition)

1. Upload a clear photo of your passport info page
2. Take a selfie when prompted
3. Enter your passport details exactly as they appear — name spelling matters, including middle names

Wait time: Usually instant, but sometimes takes up to 2 hours. I’ve had it approved in 5 minutes on a good day and had to re-submit once because the photo was blurry. Do this before your trip if possible.

Step 5: Link Your Foreign Card

#

Once identity verification passes:

1. Go to “Cards” or “Payment Methods”
2. Tap “Add Card”
3. Enter your Visa/Mastercard details
4. Complete any additional 3D Secure verification your bank sends

Does it actually work? In my experience, Visa cards from US and European banks work ~95% of the time. Mastercard is closer to 90%. Amex and Discover — hit or miss. If your card fails, try a different one or contact Alipay support through the app.

Step 6: Top Up (If Needed)

#

Alipay’s Tour Pass lets you pre-load money from your foreign card:

1. Go to “Tour Pass” → “Top Up”
2. Enter an amount (¥100-¥50,000)
3. Confirm — the money appears in your Alipay balance

Note: The balance expires 90 days after your last top-up. Don’t load more than you’ll use on a single trip.

Book your accommodation on Trip.com — most hotels accept Alipay on arrival →

WeChat Pay Setup for Foreigners (The Fiddly One)

#

WeChat Pay is harder to set up as a foreigner. I won’t sugarcoat it. But you still want it because WeChat is the backbone of everything in China.

Step 1: Download WeChat

#

Get the app from your app store before you arrive. Do this with a VPN if you want the full international version.

Step 2: Register

#

Use your home country number for registration. The verification code usually arrives within 30 seconds. If it doesn’t, try again — sometimes international SMS to China-bound numbers gets delayed.

Step 3: Switch to English

#

Go to Me → Settings → General → Language → English. Most of the interface switches, but some payment screens stay in Chinese. It’s annoying but manageable.

Step 4: Add Your Card

#

1. Go to Me → Pay (or “Services”) → Wallet → Cards
2. Tap “Add a Card”
3. Enter your foreign Visa/Mastercard details

Here’s where it gets frustrating. Even after you add the card successfully, many in-person transactions will fail. WeChat Pay is designed for Chinese bank cards. Foreign cards are clearly an afterthought.

I’ve had my foreign Visa declined at a convenience store, a restaurant, and a taxi — all in the same day — only for it to work at a hotel lobby shop 10 minutes later. It makes no sense.

Step 5: The Hotel Workaround (What Actually Works)

#

This is the single best WeChat Pay workaround I’ve found in 10 years:

1. Ask your hotel if they offer WeChat Pay recharge
2. Pay the hotel cash (or with your card at the front desk)
3. They transfer the amount to your WeChat Pay balance via their business account
4. Now you have real WeChat Pay balance that works everywhere

Why this works: Merchants in China see WeChat Pay balance differently from foreign-card-linked WeChat Pay. Balance transactions almost never get declined.

I’ve done this at mid-range hotels ($50-100/night range) and they’re usually happy to help. The Front Desk staff deal with clueless tourists all day — this is easy for them.

How to Actually Pay: QR Codes

#

Once you have either app set up, paying is dead simple. There are two scenarios:

Scenario A: You Scan Their QR Code

#

• The setup: Merchant has a printed QR code on the counter, on the wall, or on a stand
• You do: Open Alipay or WeChat → tap “Scan” → point at the code → enter the amount → confirm
• When this happens: Street food stalls, small shops, some taxis, local restaurants

Scenario B: They Scan Your Payment Code

#

• The setup: You show your payment QR code on your phone
• You do: Open Alipay → tap “Pay” (or “收付款”) → show the QR code to the merchant’s scanner
• Or: Open WeChat → tap “+” → “Pay” → show the QR code
• The merchant does: Scans your code with their device
• When this happens: Supermarkets, chain restaurants, convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart), hotels

Security tip: Only show your payment code when you’re actually paying. The code refreshes every 60 seconds, and it contains your payment token. Don’t walk around with your payment screen open.

Using WeChat Pay and Alipay Beyond Payments

#

These apps aren’t just for paying at stores. Here’s what else they unlock:

Didi (Ride-Hailing)

#

Didi is China’s Uber. You can use it through:

• Alipay: Search “Didi” in the mini-program section → book a ride → pay automatically
• WeChat: Same thing — search for Didi mini-program
• Standalone Didi app: Has an English interface now, but needs WeChat Pay or Alipay linked

The mini-program approach is easiest. You don’t need to install a separate app — just search within Alipay or WeChat. The interface auto-translates, and payment happens through your linked account.

Train Tickets on Trip.com

#

You can pay for train tickets on Trip.com with Alipay at checkout. The Trip.com website and app accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, and international cards.

Check train schedules and book tickets on Trip.com →

Food Delivery

#

Apps like Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么) deliver food to your hotel room or Airbnb. Both accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. The menus are mostly in Chinese, but the pictures are good enough to order. I’ve survived on Meituan delivery in Shanghai for weeks at a time.

Bike Sharing

#

Mobike and Hellobike let you unlock bikes by scanning a QR code on the bike frame. Both accept Alipay (Mobike is integrated directly into Alipay actually). It’s ¥1.5-3 per ride — basically free.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

#

“Transaction Declined” at Small Merchants

#

Fix: Switch apps. If WeChat Pay declines, try Alipay. If both decline, the merchant’s terminal might not accept foreign cards. In that case, cash might be the only option — yes, cash still works.

Top-Up Failed

#

Fix: Check with your bank first. Many international banks flag large foreign transactions as suspicious. Call your bank and tell them you’re traveling to China. Then try a smaller top-up amount (¥100-500).

Identity Verification Won’t Process

#

Fix: Make sure your passport photo is clear and well-lit. No shadows, no glare. The name must match exactly — if your passport has a middle name, include it. If it still fails, try Alipay (they’re more lenient with foreign documents).

Can’t Register Because of SMS Issues

#

Fix: If your home number doesn’t receive the verification code (happens with some carriers), buy a Chinese SIM card at the airport and use that number instead. China Mobile and China Unicom have counters at every international arrival hall.

Exchange Rates

#

Alipay and WeChat Pay use the mid-market exchange rate plus a small fee (usually 1-2%). For Alipay Tour Pass, the rate is locked when you top up. For direct card transactions on either app, the rate depends on your card issuer.

My tactic: Top up Alipay when the rate is favorable. If the rate changes, you’re protected because you already loaded the balance.

FAQ

#

Do I really need both WeChat Pay and Alipay?

#

Yes, realistically. Alipay is more reliable for foreigners. But some places only accept WeChat Pay (certain hotels, Didi, and smaller merchants in northern China). Having both costs nothing and saves you from awkward moments.

Can I withdraw cash from an ATM using Alipay or WeChat Pay?

#

No. These are payment apps, not bank accounts. You cannot withdraw cash from an ATM using your Alipay or WeChat Pay balance. To get cash, use your foreign debit card at an ATM (Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank usually accept foreign cards).

What if my phone battery dies?

#

This is actually a real problem in China because you can’t pay without your phone. Two solutions:

1. Carry ¥200-500 in cash as emergency backup
2. Portable power banks are everywhere — most convenience stores rent them for ¥2/hour (scan a QR code on the rental station)

Can I get a refund if something goes wrong?

#

For goods, yes. Alipay has a dispute system. WeChat Pay less so. If you pay and the product is defective or the service doesn’t happen, contact the merchant first. If that fails, both apps have customer support — Alipay’s English support is better.

How much should I load on Alipay?

#

A comfortable daily budget for most travelers is ¥300-600 ($42-85) for food, transport, and incidentals. Hotels and train tickets should be pre-booked. I typically load ¥2000 ($280) on day one and top up if I run low.

What about Apple Pay?

#

Apple Pay works at major chains (Starbucks, McDonald’s, some convenience stores) — but it’s not accepted at most local merchants. Don’t rely on it as your primary payment method. It’s a backup to the backup.

Is Alipay accepted everywhere in China?

#

Nearly everywhere. Cities, towns, tourist sites — covered. The only places where cash is still king: very remote villages, some street markets, and the occasional stubborn old taxi driver. For 98% of your trip, Alipay will work.

Quick Setup Checklist

#

Before your flight:

• Download Alipay and WeChat Pay from your app store
• Register both with your home phone number
• Complete Alipay identity verification (passport photo + selfie)
• Link a foreign card to both apps
• Top up Alipay with ¥1000-2000 as starting balance
• Let your bank know you’re traveling to China
• Download offline maps of your destination cities
• Set up your VPN if you need it for WhatsApp, Google, etc.

Related Guides

#

• Internet in China 2026 — VPNs, SIM cards, and essential apps
• China Apps Without VPN — What you can actually use without a VPN
• China 2 Week Itinerary — Plan your route between cities
• Where to Stay in Shanghai — Best neighborhoods and hotels
• China High-Speed Rail Guide — How to book trains and get around

Last updated: June 2026. Payment policies change frequently — what worked last month might not work today. If something in this guide is outdated, let me know.