China is a cashless society. Even street food vendors and taxi drivers expect mobile payment. As a foreigner, setting up WeChat Pay or Alipay with your international card is now easier than ever. This ultimate guide walks you through every step, from downloading the apps to making your first payment. We cover both WeChat Pay and Alipay so you can choose the best option for your trip.
WeChat Pay vs Alipay: Which One Should You Use?
WeChat Pay: Pros: the most widely accepted payment method in China. Even small street vendors accept WeChat Pay. Integrated with WeChat (China's essential messaging app). You need WeChat anyway for communication. You can add money to your WeChat balance via other users. Cons: setup is slightly more complicated for foreigners. International card support was added later than Alipay. Transaction limits with international cards are lower. Verification requires passport scanning. Best for: travelers who will use WeChat for communication (recommended for most travelers). Alipay: Pros: easier setup for foreigners (dedicated 'Tourist Pass' feature). Higher transaction limits with international cards. Better English interface. More features for travelers (hotel booking, flight booking, DiDi within the app). Wide acceptance (slightly less than WeChat Pay but still 95%+). Cons: less widely accepted than WeChat Pay in very remote areas. The 'Tourist Pass' requires pre-loading money. Best for: short-term tourists, first-time visitors, those who want simplest setup. Hidden Beijing recommendation: set up BOTH. Use WeChat Pay as your primary and Alipay as backup. Both take only 15-20 minutes to set up with your international card. Having both ensures you never face a situation where neither works. This is essential because some merchants may only accept one or the other.
How to Set Up WeChat Pay with an International Card
Step 1: Download WeChat from your app store. Step 2: Register with your phone number (your international number works - select your country code). Step 3: Complete your profile. Add a profile photo and set your WeChat ID. Step 4: Go to Me > Pay > Enable. If you do not see Pay, update the app and try again. Step 5: Verify your identity. You need your passport. The app will ask for: passport photo page, your face (for facial verification). Follow the in-app camera instructions. Step 6: Link your international credit/debit card. Go to Me > Pay > Wallet > Cards. Select 'Add a Card.' Enter your card details (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Diners Club are supported). Card must be in your name (same as passport). Step 7: Set a 6-digit payment PIN (this is separate from your WeChat login password). Step 8: Test the setup. Go to a convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart), tell the cashier 'WeChat Pay' (微信支付), show your payment QR code. The cashier scans it. You enter your PIN on your phone. Transaction is complete. Important notes: single transaction limit with international card: ~$500-1,000 USD (approximately 3,600-7,200 RMB). Daily limit: ~$1,000-2,000 USD. For larger purchases (e.g., luxury goods at SKP), you may need a Chinese bank account or Alipay. Some users report that their card is declined initially. If this happens: try a different card, call your bank to authorize China transactions, try again after 24 hours. Contact WeChat support at: pay@wechat.com.
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How to Set Up Alipay (Including the Tourist Pass)
Method 1: Alipay with International Card (Simplest). Step 1: Download Alipay. Step 2: Register with your international phone number. Select 'Register with international mobile number' on the welcome screen. Step 3: Complete real-name verification. Go to Me > Account > Real-Name Verification. Upload your passport photo and complete face verification. Step 4: Link your international card. Go to Me > Bank Cards. Select 'Add Card.' Enter your Visa/Mastercard details. Step 5: Start paying. Scan any Alipay QR code or show your payment code. Method 2: Alipay Tourist Pass (Higher limits). Step 1: Complete Method 1 first. Step 2: In the Alipay app, search for 'Tourist Pass' (or '旅行通'). Step 3: Apply for the China Tourist Pass. This is essentially a prepaid virtual debit card linked to your Alipay account. Step 4: Load money onto the Tourist Pass. Minimum: 100 RMB. Maximum: 10,000 RMB. You load via international card. Step 5: Use the Tourist Pass balance for payments. Benefits: higher transaction limits, lower fees (no 3% international card fee), can be refunded at the end of your trip. Important Alipay tips: enable 'In-App Web Browser' for seamless payments on Alipay's platform. Set up 'Face Payment' (刷脸支付) at Alipay-enabled kiosks (many convenience stores and restaurants have this - just look at the camera). Add your hotel address in Alipay's 'Address Book' for easy DiDi setup. Alipay limits: international card limit: ~$5,000 per transaction. Tourist Pass limit: ~10,000 RMB loaded at any time.
Paying Without a Smartphone (Cash & Card Options)
Despite China being 'cashless,' cash is still legal tender and accepted everywhere. However, some small vendors may not have change for large bills. Cash recommendations: carry 500-1,000 RMB in small bills (20, 10, 5 RMB notes) for emergencies, taxis, and small street vendors. ATMs: Bank of China and China Merchants Bank ATMs accept international cards with low fees. Get cash at the airport upon arrival. Credit cards: widely accepted at: international hotels (all major chains), high-end restaurants (in Sanlitun, CBD), luxury shopping malls (SKP, China World), international chains (Starbucks, McDonald's). NOT widely accepted at: small restaurants, street food vendors, some museums, local shops, taxis. The acceptance rate for international cards is improving. In 2025, approximately 60-70% of Beijing merchants accept international cards (up from 30% in 2020). UnionPay: if your foreign bank card is UnionPay-enabled (many Australian, Korean, and Southeast Asian banks), it works everywhere in China like a Chinese card. This is the best option if your bank offers it. Apple Pay: works at NFC-enabled terminals. Supported by many banks but less common than Alipay/WeChat scanning. Samsung Pay and Google Pay: very limited acceptance. Pro tip: the easiest approach is: use WeChat Pay for 90% of transactions, keep 500 RMB cash for emergencies, carry one international credit card for hotels and large purchases. This combination covers every scenario.
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