Start with Alipay
Use Alipay as your everyday wallet. Add Weixin Pay if you want broader coverage or a second mobile route.
Alipay setup guide →BASICS
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← ALL GUIDESMONEY · PRACTICAL GUIDE
How to pay in China as a tourist.
Choose a mobile wallet for everyday spending, then add an independent card and a small cash reserve so one failed payment does not stop your day.
01 · CHOOSE YOUR SETUP
Start with the wallet that fits you.
Both a single-wallet and dual-wallet setup can work. Your existing habits are the simplest tie-breaker.
Start with Weixin Pay
If WeChat is already part of your routine, Weixin Pay can be your primary wallet. Alipay remains a useful optional backup.
Weixin Pay setup guide →WHY CONSIDER TWO WALLETS?
Some smaller or more local merchants may favour Weixin Pay, while other services are easier to access through Alipay. A second wallet increases your options—but cash is still the more independent fallback.
02 · BEFORE YOU FLY
Prepare the system, not just the app.
The goal is to avoid having every payment method depend on the same phone, card issuer or network connection.
Set up your wallet
Register, complete any requested identity checks and link an eligible international card. Detailed screen-by-screen instructions belong in the wallet-specific guides.
Prepare an independent card
Carry a physical card and make sure you can receive bank alerts or complete verification abroad. A card from a different issuer is a stronger second layer when available.
Keep an offline reserve
Carry enough RMB for a meal and a ride back to your accommodation. Store it separately from your primary card.
03 · REAL TRIP SITUATIONS
Start with the service, then choose how to pay.
You do not necessarily need a separate app for every task. DiDi, Meituan and Railway 12306 are examples of services that may also be reached through mini-program or connected-service entry points.
MINI PROGRAMS CAN REDUCE APP CLUTTER
Availability, language, registration and foreign-card support can differ by service and account. Learn how to open and use mini programs →
SITUATIONSTART HEREBACKUPRELATED GUIDE
Shops, cafés and restaurantsAlipay or Weixin PayPhysical card where accepted, then cashYour chosen wallet →
Taxi and ride-hailingDiDi app or an available mini-program entryAsk your accommodation to help arrange a rideDiDi first-ride tutorial →
Trains and intercity travelRailway 12306 or a suitable booking serviceStaffed station counter with your passportTrain & transport guide →
Food deliveryMeituan or an available mini-program entryOrder and pay directly at the restaurantEssential apps overview →
Hotels and depositsThe method confirmed by your hotelPhysical card plus sufficient cashNo extra app required
No signal or wallet failurePhysical card where acceptedRMB cashOffline fallback
04 · MAKING A PAYMENT
Learn the two common QR flows.
You can make a small test before departure if a trusted China-facing service offers Alipay checkout. Test again after arrival before relying on it for a train, taxi or hotel deposit.
Scan the merchant’s QR code
Open your wallet, scan the displayed code, check the merchant name and amount, then confirm.
OR
Show your payment code
Open the wallet’s payment code, let the cashier scan it, then confirm the final status before leaving.
Important: a personal collection code is not always the same as a normal merchant payment. A wallet funded by an international card may not support every person-to-person transaction.
YOU ARE PAYMENT-READY WHENYour main wallet opens and your card is linkedYour physical card works abroadYou have an offline cash reserveYou know which fallback to try next
05 · QUESTIONS THAT COME UP
Payment FAQ
Details that matter when you need them, without turning the main guide into eleven chapters.
Is one mobile wallet enough?
It can be. A single working wallet, a physical card and RMB cash form a sensible minimum. A second wallet improves coverage and gives you another route if the first one fails, but it is not a requirement for every traveller.
What can a foreign card linked to a wallet pay for?
Treat it mainly as a way to pay merchants. Person-to-person transfers, red packets, wallet balance features and some personal collection codes may not work in the same way as they do for a locally issued account.
Will I pay a service fee?
Fees and thresholds can change and may differ by wallet, card and transaction. Check the amount and any fee shown on the final payment screen. Your card issuer may also apply its own foreign transaction or currency-conversion charge.
Do I need a Chinese phone number or bank account?
Many visitors can register with an overseas phone number and link an eligible international card. Particular services or mini programs may still have their own account, identity or payment requirements.
What should I do when a payment fails or stays pending?
First confirm whether the payment failed, succeeded or is still pending. Do not repeat an uncertain charge: check your wallet and card records and ask the merchant whether payment was received. If it clearly failed, switch to your second wallet, physical card or cash. Diagnose the network, issuer or account problem after the immediate purchase is complete.
How much cash should I carry?
Carry enough for a meal and a ride back to your accommodation rather than relying on one universal amount. Replenish it when needed and keep it separate from your main card.
Do I need e-CNY?
Not for the first version of a reliable visitor setup. Mobile wallets, an independent card and cash cover the core plan. You can explore e-CNY later if it suits your trip.
Put payment into your full China setup.
Use the Master Checklist to connect payment with entry, internet, apps and arrival transport.
Open the Master Checklist →