Paying in China as a Foreigner: Alipay & WeChat 2026

Here's the thing that makes China different from almost any other travel destination: China doesn't really use cash anymore, and most everyday places can't take your bank card directly. Almost everything, from street food to taxis to temple tickets, is paid by scanning a QR code with your phone. That might sound complicated. It isn't. It's actually super convenient once you figure it out, and you can set it all up before you land, with the cards you already have and no Chinese bank account.

This guide walks you through the apps to download, how to connect your cards, what it costs, and the backups worth having.

The short version

Download Alipay and WeChat before you fly, register with your own phone number, and link your Visa or Mastercard.
Pay by scanning QR codes. Just about every place has one, from big cities to small towns to independent street vendors.
Bring some cash just to be safe. Around 500 to 700 RMB ($70 to $100) is a good buffer for one or two people for a day or two.
Your physical foreign card works at airports, larger hotels, major attractions, and some malls and metro systems. Don't count on it at small shops or taxis.

How paying actually works in China

Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted by tens of millions of merchants across China, from major retailers to taxis, restaurants, and small shops. There are two ways the payment can work. Either you scan the shop's printed QR code and type the amount, or the cashier scans the payment code on your screen. The money is charged to the card you linked. The whole thing takes seconds, and you'll see everyone from teenagers to grandmothers pay this way.

Both apps let foreign visitors link international cards. You do not need a Chinese bank account, a Chinese phone number, or a Chinese ID.

Setting up Alipay

Alipay is the one most travelers set up first, and the one we'd pick if you only set up one.

Download Alipay from your app store before you leave home.
Register with your own phone number. The app works with foreign numbers.
Go to your account, add a bank card, and enter your card details. Alipay supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, and internationally issued UnionPay cards. Whether a specific card works can also depend on your issuing bank and country, so if one card is refused, try another. It doesn't matter which country you're from: if you're not sure, and you can't find reliable information online about your specific bank, it's worth calling them before you travel to ask whether they put any restrictions on card use in China. It's also a good idea to tell them you're traveling, so a payment in China doesn't get blocked as suspected fraud.
We really recommend verifying your identity with a photo of your passport in the app right away. You may be able to make smaller payments before it's fully verified, but verifying in advance unlocks the higher spending limits and saves the app from asking for it during your trip. Processing time can vary, from quick to a day or two, so get it done before you fly, not in the last few hours.

Do all of this from your sofa at home. Landing with working payments is much better than stressing out trying to set them up at the airport.

Setting up WeChat Pay

WeChat is China's main messenger, and its payment side works the same way. Download WeChat, register with your own number, then go to Me, then Services, then Wallet, and add your international card. WeChat Pay supports most major international card networks, though the eligible networks, issuing countries, and individual cards can vary.

Have both apps working before you travel. Some shops show a QR code for only one of the apps, though it's very rare, and if one app has a problem, the other one is your backup. WeChat is also how you'll message hotels, guides, and any local contacts, so you'll need it anyway.

What it costs

The pricing works the same way on both apps:

On payments of 200 RMB or less (about $28), the apps waive their own international-card service fee. That covers most meals, metro rides, museum tickets, and coffee runs.
On payments over 200 RMB, the apps normally add a 3% service fee.
Separately, your card issuer may charge its usual currency-conversion or international-transaction fees, depending on your card.

Worth knowing right now: WeChat Pay is running a promotion for first-time international-card users. At the time of writing, it waives the 3% fee for 90 days on daily spending up to 1,000 RMB. If you qualify, that makes WeChat the cheaper app for your trip.

For spending caps, the regulatory ceiling for verified international users is $5,000 per transaction and $50,000 per year. Lower limits can still apply from your card issuer, the app's own published tiers, or security checks. For a normal trip, you're unlikely to notice any of them.

Can a travel card cut the fees?

Partly. A multi-currency card such as Wise or Revolut may reduce the currency-conversion costs your regular bank would charge on every payment. Wise also gives you a virtual card you can add to the apps straight away, with no plastic to wait for, which is convenient. It does not remove Alipay's or WeChat Pay's own 3% service fee on larger payments.

Whether it's worth it depends on your bank. If your regular card adds a 2 to 3% foreign-transaction markup, a travel card linked into Alipay or WeChat Pay helps reduce that markup. Compare the exchange rates, plan allowances, weekend markups, and card fees before choosing one. If you want a physical card too, order it a couple of weeks before your trip so it arrives in time.

Cash: still worth carrying a little

You'll pay for almost everything by phone, but keep a little cash on you just in case. Shops have to take cash by law, so it's a reliable backup when something goes wrong: a card that won't link, a bank that blocks a payment, an app that acts up, or a dead phone. It just gives you time to fix things.

Bring around 500 to 700 RMB ($70 to $100) for one or two people, and more for a bigger group. Most of this money might actually go to the airport taxi alone, since many Chinese airports are located far outside the city. The ride often costs 100 to 300 RMB or more, depending on the city and the service you choose. The rest covers a day or two: some food, a charger, and any other small things you might need. It's a small backup, not money to live on.
Landing on a weekend? Bring a bit extra. Banks and money-changers can be closed or slow on weekends, so it's easier to arrive with enough than to go looking for one.
Need more? Use an ATM with your card's logo on it (Visa, Mastercard, and so on). You'll find plenty around the city. Most let you take out up to 3,000 RMB at once. There may be a small fee, and on a credit card it can count as a cash advance, which costs more.

Where your physical card actually works

Direct acceptance of foreign cards has been improving, and it's now official policy: hotels rated three stars and above and major attractions are required to take international cards. In practice that means airports, larger hotels, major tourist sights, malls, and some public transport, including international contactless cards on Shanghai's metro. It remains inconsistent at smaller restaurants, taxis, and independent shops.

So the rule stays simple: treat card terminals as a bonus where they appear, and keep Alipay and WeChat Pay as your primary way to pay.

Apple Pay is supported at some compatible merchants and transport systems in China, but acceptance is inconsistent, especially with foreign-issued cards. Google Wallet isn't officially supported as a mainland-China payment service. Treat both as occasional backups, not your main way to pay.

The digital yuan, if you're curious

China also runs an official digital currency, the e-CNY, and its app welcomes visitors: you can register with an overseas phone number and top it up with eligible Visa or Mastercard cards, and unused balance can be refunded to your card. Acceptance is growing, but it's still far behind Alipay and WeChat Pay, so treat it as optional, not essential.

Before you fly: the five-minute payment checklist

Alipay installed, card linked, passport verified
WeChat installed, card linked
A Wise or Revolut card ordered, if you want to reduce your bank's currency fees
Some cash for emergencies, around 500 to 700 RMB
Mobile data sorted. Your QR code won't load without an internet connection, so an eSIM can help you have data the moment you land
A VPN installed before you go, so all your international apps keep working too

FAQ

Do I need a Chinese bank account to use Alipay or WeChat Pay?
No. Both apps accept international cards and foreign phone numbers. A Chinese bank account is only needed for things tourists don't do, like receiving salary payments.

Which one should I set up first, Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Alipay. Its setup for foreign cards is a little smoother, and its English interface is more complete. Then add WeChat for messaging, as your payment backup, and for its current new-user fee waiver.

Do QR payments work without internet?
Not really. You need internet to scan QR codes and use the apps properly. Now and then a payment works when the cashier scans your phone, but don't count on it. The easiest fix is an eSIM set up before you land, so you're online the moment you arrive.

What if my card gets declined when I link it?
Try the other app, try another card, or tell your bank you're traveling so they stop blocking the charges. Whether a card works can depend on its network, issuing bank, and country, and some cards fail on one platform while working fine on the other.

Can I send money to friends or receive payments?
Mostly no. Paying shops works fine with just a foreign card and no Chinese bank account, but sending money to people, red packets, and receiving money stay restricted unless you have a Chinese bank account.

Is tipping expected in China?
No. Tipping is generally not expected anywhere, from restaurants to taxis. Pay what the bill says and you're done.

How much cash should I actually carry?
Enough for a day or two of basics. Our suggestion is around 500 to 700 RMB ($70 to $100) for one or two people, more for a bigger group. Most travelers finish the trip with most of it still in their pocket.

Where do I book hotels that reliably take foreign payment?
Book ahead on Trip.com, a major China-focused travel platform. You pay online with your normal card, and nothing needs to happen at the front desk.

Sources

Bottom line

Paying in China takes a short setup and the cards already in your wallet. Install Alipay and WeChat Pay before you fly, link your Visa or Mastercard, verify your passport, and you'll pay for everything by QR code like everyone around you. Keep around 500 to 700 RMB as a backup, treat card terminals as a bonus rather than a plan, and if your bank's currency fees are high, a Wise or Revolut card linked into the apps can trim them. Nothing about it needs a Chinese bank account.

Paying in China as a Foreigner: Alipay and WeChat Pay Without a Chinese Bank