Payments (Alipay & WeChat) 支付宝微信

China is mobile-payment first. Cash is still useful as a backup, but many restaurants, taxis, kiosks, and attractions expect QR payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Set both up before you fly.

The setup order

1. Install Alipay and WeChat before departure. App-store access and SMS verification are easier while you still have your normal phone setup.
2. Use your passport name exactly. Payment identity checks can fail when middle names, initials, or spacing do not match.
3. Add at least two cards if you can. A second Visa, Mastercard, or other supported card gives you a clean fallback if fraud controls block one.
4. Enable travel notices with your bank. Chinese merchant descriptors can trigger card security checks.
5. Keep a small cash reserve. Use ATMs at major banks or exchange a limited amount before remote travel.

How payment works on the ground

• You scan them: open Alipay or WeChat, scan the merchant’s QR code, enter the amount, and confirm.
• They scan you: open your payment code and let the cashier scan it. Cover the screen after use.
• Mini programs: many restaurants, museums, and ticket offices use mini programs inside WeChat or Alipay instead of standalone websites.
• Deposits and refunds: some bike shares, hotels, or ticket services may place holds or refunds through the same wallet.

Common failure modes

• Your foreign card works in Alipay but not WeChat, or the reverse.
• Your phone number cannot receive an SMS while roaming.
• A restaurant only accepts a mini program that requires a Chinese interface.
• Your bank blocks the first China transaction as suspicious.
• A rural guesthouse or taxi prefers cash or bank transfer.

Backup plan

Carry enough cash for one day of meals, local transport, and an emergency taxi. Save your hotel address in Chinese, and keep one physical card separate from your phone. If both wallets fail, a hotel front desk or larger bank branch is usually a better recovery point than a small shop.