The Only Payment Guide
You Need for China
Step-by-step guides to set up Alipay, WeChat Pay, and e-CNY as a foreigner. Tested and verified — so you never get stuck at the register.
Alipay for Foreigners
Link your Visa/Mastercard/Discover in 10 minutes. No Chinese bank needed.
WeChat Pay Setup
Link international cards. Accepted at ~99% of merchants.
Ease of Setup for Foreigners
Alipay
Easiest — Recommended First ChoiceWeChat Pay
Widest acceptance, moderate setupe-CNY
New — 26 pilot cities only
Apple Pay / Visa
Not recommended as primary method
Google Pay / Samsung Pay
Do not rely on theseRanking based on setup time, documentation required, and merchant acceptance for foreign visitors.
More Than Just Payments
Alipay and WeChat are super-apps. Once set up, unlock these features:
Alipay — Super App Features
Book DiDi rides directly inside Alipay
Metro & bus QR codes in 300+ cities
Order from Ele.me without a separate app
Pay on Taobao, Tmall, and thousands of sites
Built-in 16-language translator for menus & signs
WeChat — Super App Features
The #1 chat app in China — everyone uses it
Millions of apps inside WeChat (hotels, tickets, services)
Scan table QR to order & pay — no waiter needed
Multiple ride services available as mini-programs
Follow brands, news, and government services
First Time in China?
From touchdown to your first good night's sleep — our step-by-step survival guide covers SIM cards, first payments, hotel check-in, getting around, and everything a newcomer needs to know.
Before You Go Checklist
Do these 5 things before boarding your flight