Mobile Payments in China: Can Foreigners Use Alipay and WeChat Pay?

Before coming to China, many people worry about one thing: I don’t have a Chinese bank card — can I actually pay for things here?

The answer: yes, but you need to set it up in advance.

The Reality

Mastercard。

China is a highly cashless society. Many street stalls, restaurants, and even taxi drivers only accept WeChat Pay or Alipay — not cash, not Visa, not Mastercard.

Walk into a roadside eatery with a foreign credit card, and the owner may stare blankly and point at the QR code on the wall.

Alipay for Foreigners

1. Google Play搜”Alipay”）

Alipay significantly improved the foreign user experience after 2023. The process:

1. Download Alipay (search “Alipay” on App Store/Google Play)
2. Register with your phone number (most country codes supported)
3. Link a foreign credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB all work)
4. Complete identity verification (passport)

After linking a card, you can scan QR codes directly. Single transaction limit ~¥1,000, monthly cumulative ~¥50,000. More than enough for daily spending.

WeChat Pay for Foreigners

WeChat Pay also supports foreign credit cards with a similar process:

1. Download WeChat
2. Register (requires an existing WeChat user to verify you, or register directly with phone number)
3. Go to “Me → Services → Wallet,” link a foreign credit card
4. Complete passport identity verification

WeChat Pay’s advantage: since most Chinese people use WeChat for messaging, linking payment means you can transfer money to friends and receive red envelopes directly — social and payment integrated.

Is Cash Still Useful?

Yes, but in fewer and fewer situations.

Carry ¥500–1,000 cash for:

• Rural areas or remote scenic spots
• The rare old shop that doesn’t accept mobile payment
• Emergencies (dead phone battery, network outage)

In major cities — convenience stores, supermarkets, metro, Didi, food delivery — everything accepts mobile payment. Cash is rarely needed.

Common Questions

Q: 能用Apple Pay / Google Pay吗？

Q: What if card linking fails? A: Some banks block overseas binding requests. Contact your bank to enable “overseas payment” permissions, then retry.

Q: Which is better, Alipay or WeChat Pay? A: Alipay has a more foreigner-friendly interface and easier customer service. But WeChat Pay has broader coverage due to WeChat’s massive user base. Install both.

Google Pay? A: Some malls and convenience stores support them, but coverage is far lower than Alipay and WeChat Pay. Don’t rely on them as your primary payment method.

Once mobile payment is set up, spending in China becomes seamless. If you’re still planning your trip, How to Buy High-Speed Rail Tickets in China is the next thing to sort out — train tickets can be purchased directly through Alipay. Also check Ride-Hailing in China for how foreigners can use Didi.

外链： Alipay International Official Site