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China travel guides

How to pay in China: Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card

Most shops and restaurants in China take payment by QR code through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Both apps accept foreign bank cards, so you can pay like a local with the card you already have. Set it up at home, while you can still receive your bank's text messages.

1. Install Alipay or WeChat before you fly

  1. Download Alipay or WeChat from your usual app store. One is enough; many travelers set up both as a backup.
  2. Sign up with your own mobile number. A Chinese number is not needed.

Checked 2026-10-11

2. Link your bank card

  1. Add a card with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover or UnionPay logo.
  2. Your bank has to approve the link, usually with a code by text message or a prompt in its own app.
  3. If the card is refused, call your bank to allow it, or try a different card.

Checked 2026-10-11

3. Pay by scanning or showing a code

  • Scan the shop's QR code with the app, type in the amount and confirm.
  • Or open your payment code and let the cashier scan it.

Checked 2026-10-11

4. Fees and limits

  • No service fee on payments of ¥200 or less with a foreign card. Above ¥200, the fee is 3% of the payment.
  • WeChat Pay sometimes waives the fee for people who link a card for the first time; the app shows any current offer.
  • Limits for foreign cards: US$5,000 per payment and US$50,000 a year.
  • Your own bank may add its foreign transaction fee on top.

Checked 2026-10-11

5. Have a backup

  • Some foreign wallets, such as AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK and Kakao Pay, can scan Chinese QR codes directly.
  • Keep a second linked card, and some cash in yuan, in case a payment fails.

Checked 2026-10-11