Last updated: November 10, 2026
Quick answer: In 2026, tourists can pay almost everywhere in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a normal Visa or Mastercard. Set both up at home, before you fly. Payments of ¥200 or less have no fee, and anything above ¥200 has a 3% fee. After you verify your passport in the app, limits are about $5,000 per payment and $50,000 a year. You'll need mobile data to scan QR codes and your home number to receive verification codes.
See China eSIM plans from €2.99
Alipay and WeChat Pay: the key facts
- Both apps accept foreign cards. Visa and Mastercard work best. JCB, Discover and Diners work in most cases. American Express is less reliable.
- Use a physical card. Virtual and prepaid cards are usually rejected.
- No fee up to ¥200 per payment, 3% above. The fee is shown before you confirm. Your own bank may add a foreign transaction fee on top.
- WeChat Pay has a welcome offer. Newly linked cards pay no 3% fee on daily spend under ¥1,000 for 60 days.
- Verify your passport for higher limits. About $5,000 per payment and $50,000 a year after verification.
- A foreign phone number works for sign-up and codes.
- You need mobile data to pay. Most payments mean scanning a QR code or showing one, so the app has to be online.
Why you need these apps in China
Cash still works, but many shops, cafés, taxis, metro machines and street stalls are set up for QR payments first. Some small vendors don't take foreign cards at all, only Alipay or WeChat Pay. With one of them on your phone, you pay like a local: scan the shop's QR code, enter the amount, confirm.
Set up both if you can. If one rejects your card or a shop only shows one QR code, the other is your backup.
How to set up Alipay (10 minutes, at home)
- Download Alipay from the App Store or Google Play.
- Sign up with your phone number, including your country code. You'll get an SMS code.
- Switch the app to English: Me > Settings > General > Language.
- Add your card: Me > Bank cards > Add card. Enter your Visa or Mastercard. The name must match your card exactly.
- Verify your passport when asked: scan the photo page, then do a quick face check. Approval can take a few hours, sometimes up to 3 days, so don't leave it to the airport.
- Test it with a small payment at home if the app lets you, or right after landing.
Turn off your VPN while you register and add your card. It can cause verification errors.
How to set up WeChat Pay
- Download WeChat and create an account with your phone number. New accounts are sometimes asked to have an existing WeChat user confirm them. If that happens, a friend or your hotel can help.
- Open Me > Services (or Pay) > Wallet.
- Verify your identity with your passport and set a 6-digit payment password. WeChat asks for this before you can add a card.
- Add your card under Wallet > Cards. Again, the name must match exactly.
- Check it works: you should see your card listed as a payment method.
Fees and limits compared
| Alipay | WeChat Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee up to ¥200 per payment | None | None |
| Fee above ¥200 | 3% | 3% |
| Welcome offer | Occasional promotions | No 3% fee on daily spend under ¥1,000 for 60 days (new cards) |
| Limit after passport verification | About $5,000 per payment, $50,000 a year | About $5,000 per payment, $50,000 a year |
| Foreign phone number | Yes | Yes |
| English interface | Yes | Yes |
Fees and limits from Alipay and WeChat Pay guidance in 2026. They change from time to time, and both apps show the fee before you confirm a payment.
Tip for bigger purchases: for hotels and train tickets over ¥200, check whether paying with your card directly (online or at the counter) is cheaper than paying through the app with the 3% fee.
Why your eSIM matters for paying
Alipay and WeChat Pay don't work offline. To pay you need:
- Mobile data, to scan the QR code and confirm the payment. Shop Wi-Fi is rarely available at the till.
- Your home number able to receive SMS, for login and verification codes, especially when you log in on a new network.
That's why the usual setup is:
- A travel eSIM for data. Install it before you fly and switch it on when you land.
- Your home SIM kept on for calls and texts, with data roaming switched off so you don't pay roaming fees.
A travel eSIM also routes your data outside China, so WhatsApp, Google Maps and Gmail keep working while you pay with the Chinese apps. See does WhatsApp work in China and what apps work in China.
Get your China eSIM before you fly
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Card declined by issuing bank" | Your bank blocked it as possible fraud. Call them or approve it in your banking app, and tell them you're travelling to China. |
| Card rejected straight away | Use a physical Visa or Mastercard. Virtual, prepaid and some Amex cards don't work. |
| Passport verification fails | Good light, passport flat, no glare, face fully visible. Try again. |
| App only in Chinese | Me > Settings > General > Language. |
| Can't receive the SMS code | Make sure your home SIM is on and can receive texts abroad. |
| A small stall won't take your card | Some only accept local wallet balance. Pay cash, or try the other app. |
Before you fly: checklist
- Alipay installed, card added, passport verified
- WeChat installed, wallet verified, card added
- Bank told you're travelling to China
- Travel eSIM installed (keep it switched off until you land)
- Home SIM able to receive SMS abroad
- A little cash for backup
More preparation tips in our China 2026 checklist.
FAQ
Can tourists use Alipay in China? Yes. Tourists can link a foreign Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover or Diners card to Alipay and pay at most shops, restaurants and taxis in China.
Does WeChat Pay work with foreign cards? Yes. WeChat Pay accepts foreign cards after you verify your identity with your passport and set a payment password.
What are the fees for Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card? Payments of ¥200 or less are free. Above ¥200 there's a 3% fee. Your bank may also charge a foreign transaction fee.
Do I need a Chinese phone number for Alipay or WeChat Pay? No. A foreign phone number with your country code works for sign-up and verification codes.
Do Alipay and WeChat Pay work without internet? No. You need mobile data to scan QR codes and confirm payments, so get a travel eSIM or another data option before you arrive.
Should I set up Alipay before going to China? Yes. Passport verification can take up to 3 days, and it's much easier to fix card problems with your bank from home.
Is Alipay or WeChat Pay better for tourists? Both are accepted almost everywhere. Alipay is often a little easier to set up for tourists. Set up both if you can, so you always have a backup.