China is one of the most cashless societies on the planet. Street vendors, taxis, metro stations, temples, and even rural village shops â almost everything is paid for by scanning a QR code. If you're visiting China, setting up mobile payments isn't just convenient â it's practically essential.
The good news: in 2026, both Alipay and WeChat Pay now support international credit and debit cards. You no longer need a Chinese bank account to use them. Here's everything you need to know.
Why You Can't Pay with Cash in China Anymore
Walking into a Chinese restaurant and asking for the bill? The waiter will point to a QR code on the table. Taxi driver fumbling with change? He'll ask for your phone instead. Cash still technically works in some larger shops and hotels, but for 90% of daily transactions â metro, food delivery, convenience stores, tourist attractions â mobile payment is the default.
Before 2022, tourists were stuck. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay required a Chinese bank account. But the government changed the rules, and now foreign visitors can link international Visa, Mastercard, or even Amex cards directly.
Alipay vs. WeChat Pay: Which One to Choose?
Short answer: Download Alipay. It's more tourist-friendly.
Alipay (æŻä»ćź) is a standalone payment app. You can download it, register with your phone number, link your international card, and start paying. It also has a built-in mini-program for taxis (Didi), food delivery (Ele.me), and even tourist attraction tickets.
WeChat Pay (ćŸźäżĄæŻä») is embedded inside WeChat, China's super-app for messaging. It works just as well for payments, but setting it up requires a WeChat account first, and the interface is more Chinese-focused. If you already use WeChat for chatting with local friends, it's worth setting up. Otherwise, Alipay is simpler.
How to Set Up Alipay (Step by Step)
- Download the app. Search "Alipay" in the App Store or Google Play. The international version (blue icon with æŻä»ćź) works globally.
- Register with your phone number. Use your regular international number â you'll receive an SMS verification code.
- Verify your identity. Go to "Me" â "Settings" â "Identity Verification." You'll need to scan your passport. This takes about 2 minutes.
- Add your card. Go to "Me" â "Bank Cards" â "Add Card." Enter your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex details. Alipay will charge a small refundable deposit (usually „1) to verify the card.
- You're ready. Scan any QR code to pay. The app auto-converts your currency.
Important: There's a single-transaction limit of „500 and a monthly limit of „5,000 for international cards. For most tourists, this is more than enough. Need more? Some users report higher limits after using the account for a few weeks.
How to Set Up WeChat Pay
- Download WeChat and register with your phone number.
- Go to "Me" â "Services" â "Wallet".
- Tap "Bank Cards" and add your international Visa or Mastercard.
- You may be asked to complete identity verification with your passport.
WeChat Pay has slightly lower limits for international cards („500 per transaction, „3,000 monthly as of early 2026). The process is similar to Alipay but less streamlined for non-Chinese speakers.
Using Mobile Payments: Practical Tips
For taxis: Download Didi (滎滎), China's Uber equivalent. It has an English interface and accepts international cards through Alipay. You can also hail a regular taxi and pay by showing your Alipay QR code â the driver scans you (not the other way around).
For metro: Open Alipay â "Transport" to get a metro QR code. Works in most major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. No need to buy a physical card.
For street food: Every vendor has a printed QR code taped to their cart. Open Alipay, tap "Scan," point your camera at the code, enter the amount, and confirm. That's it â you've paid for your jianbing in 3 seconds.
For WeChat Mini-Programs: Many restaurants use QR codes on tables that open a menu ordering system. Scan with WeChat (not Alipay), order in English (some support it), and pay directly.
What If Mobile Payment Doesn't Work?
Occasionally you'll run into a vendor who only accepts WeChat Pay (rare but happens) or has technical issues. Always carry a small amount of cash â „200 to „500 in small bills â as a backup. International ATMs are available at airports and major train stations (look for Bank of China or ICBC).
Also keep your international credit card handy. Some higher-end restaurants and hotels accept Visa/Mastercard directly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't use VPN-dependent payment apps. Alipay and WeChat Pay work perfectly without a VPN.
- Don't link a debit card with low international transaction limits. Check with your bank before traveling.
- Don't panic if you can't read Chinese. The payment confirmation screen shows the amount in „. You can calculate roughly: „7 â $1 USD.
- Don't forget to set a payment PIN. Both apps require a 6-digit PIN for every transaction. Don't set it to 123456.
Beyond Payments: What Else Alipay Can Do
Alipay isn't just for paying. The app has become a travel super-app for foreign visitors:
- Didi taxis â Book rides in English, pay through Alipay
- Hotel bookings â Fliggy (éŁçȘ) mini-program for domestic hotels
- Train tickets â Book high-speed rail tickets through the app
- Tourist attraction tickets â Book and pay for entry to major sites
- Alipay Tour Pass â A prepaid feature specifically designed for tourists
The Bottom Line
Setting up Alipay takes about 10 minutes and saves you hours of hassle during your China trip. Do it before you land â download the app, verify your identity, and add your card while you still have Wi-Fi. Once you're in China, your phone becomes your wallet, your metro card, your taxi booking tool, and your restaurant menu reader.
China's cashless revolution isn't going away. Embrace it, and your trip will be infinitely smoother.