Before you go: set up the essentials
1. Install and set up Alipay
Alipay is one of the most practical payment apps for many international visitors. Depending on the merchant and your account, you may use it at convenience stores, restaurants, attractions, on public transport, for ride-hailing, and for other daily services.
Before your trip:
- Download Alipay and register with your phone number.
- Link an international bank card and complete any identity checks requested in the app.
- Set a payment password.
- Practice using both Scan and Pay/Payment Code.
Common questions include: “Can foreigners use Alipay?”, “Can I link a foreign bank card?”, and “Can I pay in China without a Chinese bank account?” In many cases, international visitors can use eligible overseas cards, but supported cards, limits, fees, verification, and issuer approval can vary. Try a small payment before you travel.
2. Install WeChat and check Weixin Pay
WeChat is more than a messaging app in China. Tour guides, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and travel companions often use it to share updates and locations.
- Install WeChat and make sure you can log in.
- Check whether Weixin Pay is available for your account and link an eligible international card if supported.
- Set a payment password if prompted.
- Add your travel adviser, guide, or travel companions.
Alipay alone may be enough for some trips, but setting up both gives you another option if a payment is declined or a merchant prefers one app.
3. Bring a physical card and some cash
Mobile payment is widespread, but don’t rely on your phone alone. Bring one or two international credit or debit cards and a modest amount of RMB for a dead battery, network issues, or a merchant that can’t process your linked card. Keep your bank’s support number handy in case it flags an overseas transaction.
International cards are more commonly accepted at airports, large hotels, and major shopping centers. Smaller restaurants, shops, taxis, and places outside major cities may be more convenient with mobile payment or cash. Acceptance varies, so ask before relying on a card.
How to pay in China
Two common QR-code flows
- You scan the merchant’s code: Open Alipay or WeChat, tap Scan, scan the merchant’s QR code, enter the amount if needed, and confirm.
- The merchant scans your code: Open Pay or Payment Code and let the cashier scan it.
Which method is available depends on the merchant and payment setup. Follow the on-screen prompts and check the amount before confirming.
Taxis, metro, and high-speed rail
- Ride-hailing: Options may include Didi, a ride-hailing entry inside Alipay or WeChat, or help from your hotel or guide. Availability and international-card support can vary.
- Metro: Some cities let visitors activate a transit QR code in Alipay or WeChat; station ticket machines and counters are useful backups. The exact process differs by city.
- High-speed rail: Check China Railway’s official 12306 site or app for current booking and identity-verification instructions. Carry the passport used for booking.
For your first trip, avoid depending on one app for every journey. Ask your hotel or travel adviser to confirm local routes and payment options.
If a mobile payment fails
Common causes include an overseas card’s online-payment settings, issuer fraud checks, incomplete app verification, transaction limits, a weak connection, or a merchant’s QR setup not supporting your linked card.
- Try the other payment app.
- Try another eligible card.
- Ask a companion or guide for help, then settle the amount with them.
- Use cash if the merchant accepts it.
- Contact your card issuer or the payment app’s support team.
Getting online in China
Option 1: International roaming
Roaming is often the simplest option, though it may cost more. You keep your regular number for bank texts and can check whether your carrier’s roaming plan supports the apps and services you need.
Consider it if: you’re on a short trip, traveling for work, or need to receive verification messages on your home number.
Option 2: A travel eSIM
A travel eSIM can be purchased before departure and activated on arrival, if your phone supports eSIM. Many plans are data-only and do not provide a mainland China phone number.
Before buying, confirm that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, the plan covers mainland China, the services you need work under the provider’s current terms, hotspot sharing is allowed, and you can top up if you run out of data.
Option 3: A mainland China SIM
A local SIM can be useful for longer stays, multi-city trips, or when you need a mainland phone number. Registration generally requires your passport and in-person identity verification at an authorized service point, such as an operator store or designated airport counter. Confirm current requirements with the carrier.
A local SIM uses a mainland China network. Access to overseas apps and services may differ from roaming or travel eSIM plans; check with the provider before choosing.
Option 4: Hotel and public Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a useful backup, not a plan to rely on by itself. Some public networks require phone verification, and service quality can vary. Avoid signing in to sensitive accounts on untrusted networks.
Useful apps to prepare
- Alipay: payments, some transport and ride-hailing services, and other daily-life tools.
- WeChat: messaging, contacting your guide, and Weixin Pay where available.
- Maps: Apple Maps may be convenient for some travelers; Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps often have more local-language detail. Check which works best for your phone and language needs.
- Translation: Download an offline language pack before departure.
- Airline and hotel apps: Keep booking details and travel updates easy to find.
If you rely on Google Maps, check its current availability and map detail in mainland China before your trip; local map apps may provide more complete local information.
A reliable setup is to share your hotel, flight details, and guide’s contact information with family before departure; install and test WeChat; keep your home number’s roaming available if you need urgent bank texts; and agree on a daily check-in time.
If you’re traveling with older relatives or children, make sure at least one adult has reliable roaming or eSIM data. Don’t make the whole group depend on hotel Wi-Fi.
Suggested setups by trip length
3–5 day city break
- Alipay and WeChat Pay, if eligible
- International roaming or a China-compatible eSIM
- A little RMB cash and an international card
- WeChat contact with your guide
7–15 day multi-city trip
- Alipay, WeChat Pay, and two international cards
- eSIM or local SIM, depending on your needs
- Keep your home number available for essential messages
- Offline translation and maps
Family trip with older relatives
- Have one younger family member manage the main payment apps.
- Give older relatives a hotel card, guide’s WeChat contact, and some cash.
- Check phone battery and power banks before heading out each day.
Final checklist
Don’t wait until landing to figure out payments and connectivity. Before you leave, test Alipay, WeChat, your bank card, your roaming or eSIM plan, and your WeChat contacts. A little preparation can make your trip much easier.
If you’ve booked a private tour, tell your travel adviser your phone model, trip length, arrival airport, and the apps you rely on. They can help you check which options are practical for your itinerary.
Sources & important notes
This guide is general travel information, not a guarantee that a specific card, app, carrier, or service will work for every visitor. Availability, fees, limits, identity checks, and network access can change and may depend on your account, device, city, and provider. Confirm details directly with your payment provider, carrier, and transport operator before travel.