Payment Methods in China
What payment issues might you encounter on your first trip to China?
In 2024, the mobile payment penetration rate in China reached 86%, while only 18% of people use credit cards. If you travel to China, having cash is essential. However, relying solely on cash can cause significant inconveniences. Many small shops and restaurants may not have enough change, making cash payments difficult. Additionally, for transportation—like taking the subway, buses, or taxis—most Chinese people use their phones to pay.
So, besides carrying a small amount of cash in yuan, you should prepare mobile payment apps before your trip to China.
What are the main mobile payment apps in China?
- Alipay
- WeChat Pay
Key Mobile Payment Method for Traveling in China: Alipay
1) What is Alipay?
Alipay is a payment app founded in 2004 and is one of the world’s leading mobile payment platforms, boasting around 1 billion users. It dominates the domestic market in China, along with WeChat Pay, which together account for over 90% of the market share.
Alipay allows international credit card binding and offers a multilingual interface and customer support, making it user-friendly for people from different countries.
In cities across China, almost every shop accepts Alipay, with some exceptions in remote areas. When traveling in China, you can use your Alipay QR code to pay for things like tickets or convenience store purchases.
Additionally, Alipay offers various features, including online translation, taxi hailing, hotel booking, ticket reservations, bus rides, power bank rentals, and currency exchange rates.
The Alipay app supports 16 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, as well as Chinese and English.
2) What Can You Use Alipay For When Traveling in China?
- In-Store Shopping Payments
After downloading Alipay, registering, and linking your credit card, you’ll receive a unique Alipay QR code. When you shop in China, simply show your QR code at checkout. The merchant will scan it, and the payment will be deducted from your Alipay account. You’ll see a confirmation on your phone showing the amount charged, allowing you to pick up your items and leave. If a store doesn’t have a scanning device, you can open the “Scan” feature in Alipay to scan the merchant’s QR code at the checkout. Enter the amount they tell you, click “Pay,” and enter your payment password to complete the transaction. - Online Payments for Other Chinese Services
With your Alipay account, you can use it for online payments on various Chinese platforms. For example, you can book train tickets on Ctrip, use Didi (the Chinese version of Uber), or pay for public transportation (subway and bus tickets). When you make bookings on Ctrip, you’ll be redirected to Alipay for payment. Without Alipay, you won’t be able to complete transactions on these platforms.
3) How to Register for Alipay
- Download the App
Download the Alipay app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. After downloading, click “Register.” - Link Your Bank Card
Click on “Add new Bank Card” (supports Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, Diners Club). Click “Add Now” to access the linking page and follow the prompts to complete the process.
- Enter your bank card details.
- Alipay will automatically detect the correct bank name for your card number. Ensure the “Card Type” shows your credit/debit card’s bank name.
- Enter Your ID Information
Choose “Passport” as your ID type and enter your passport number. - Provide Your Phone Number
Enter your phone number and click the “Agree and Link Card” button. - Verify Your Phone Number
Alipay will send a confirmation code via SMS from your bank. If all details are correct, you’ll receive a text message with the verification code. Enter the code to complete the registration. (Note: Make sure to register for Alipay before arriving in China; otherwise, you may not receive the SMS verification code after entering the country.) - Start Using Alipay
Once your bank card is linked, you can use Alipay like a local user for in-store purchases, taxi rides, subway trips, and anywhere that accepts Alipay QR codes.
4) Alipay Rules
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- For payments over 200 RMB, an additional fee of 3% applies.
5) Other Apps Where Alipay Can Be Used for Payments in China
- trip.com (Click to learn how to book train tickets in China)
- Didi (Click to learn how to use a mobile app for hailing a taxi in China)
- Subway and Buses (Click to learn how to use Alipay for subway rides without buying physical tickets)
Registering for WeChat Can Be Difficult for First-Time Foreign Travelers to China
1) What is WeChat?
WeChat, launched by Tencent in 2011, is a messaging app with nearly 1.4 billion users, making it the most popular chat platform in China. Foreigners can register for WeChat, but the process is somewhat complicated. Additionally, WeChat Pay requires a Chinese bank card, which can be a barrier for many travelers. Therefore, this article will not cover WeChat Pay.
However, rest assured that Alipay is more than sufficient for international travelers visiting China.
