How to Pay in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Cards and Cash
A practical payment guide for travelers to China, covering Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards, and cash.
How to Pay in China
China offers several payment methods for international travelers, including mobile payments, international bank cards, and cash.
For overseas visitors, Alipay and Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) are convenient options for everyday payments. It is also recommended to keep an international bank card and some RMB cash as backup options.
Payment Methods Available in China
Travelers can generally prepare:
• Alipay
• Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay)
• International credit or debit cards
• RMB cash
• Supported e-wallets
China's official payment guidance includes mobile payments, bank cards, cash, and other payment options for foreign visitors.
How to Use Alipay in China
International visitors can register for Alipay and link eligible overseas bank cards without opening a mainland Chinese bank account.
Basic setup:
- Download Alipay
- Register your account
- Complete verification when required
- Go to Me → Bank Cards
- Add an eligible international bank card
- Check that your card is enabled for overseas use
How to Use WeChat Pay in China
Weixin Pay, commonly known as WeChat Pay, is another major payment option in mainland China and supports eligible international bank cards.
Basic setup:
- Download or update WeChat
- Register or sign in
- Go to Me → Services → Wallet → Bank Cards
- Add an eligible international card
- Complete the required verification
- Check that the account is ready before traveling
You can pay by scanning the merchant QR code or showing your payment code.ฃ
Can International Credit Cards Be Used in China?
Yes, but acceptance depends on the merchant.
Participating stores, hotels, shopping centers, and other businesses may accept international cards such as Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, or Discover, depending on the payment network displayed at the point of sale.
Smaller businesses may rely more heavily on QR-code payments, so travelers should not depend on a card alone.
Can I Link an International Card to Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Yes.
International visitors can link eligible overseas-issued cards to Alipay or Weixin Pay without opening a mainland Chinese bank account for this type of use.
Supported card networks vary by service and issuing bank.
Are There Any Fees?
There may be fees.
Current Shanghai guidance states that transactions of RMB 200 or less are generally exempt from the platform service fee, while transactions above RMB 200 may incur a service fee of around 3% of the full transaction amount. Fees and promotions can change, so always check the payment screen before confirming a transaction. (english.shanghai.gov.cn)
Your card issuer may also charge separate foreign transaction or currency-conversion fees.
Should I Bring Cash to China?
Yes, as a backup.
Mobile payments are widely used in China, but carrying some RMB cash can be useful if your phone battery, internet connection, or preferred payment method is unavailable.
International visitors can exchange foreign currency for RMB or withdraw RMB from supported ATMs.
How Much Cash Should I Carry?
You do not need to carry a large amount.
For a typical trip, keep some RMB cash for backup expenses and use Alipay or WeChat Pay as your main payment method when convenient.
It is also useful to carry a backup bank card.
Where Can I Use Alipay and WeChat Pay?
Mobile payments can be used across many everyday situations, including:
• Restaurants and cafés
• Convenience stores
• Shopping malls
• Hotels
• Transportation
• Ride-hailing
• Various shops and services
Official Chinese sources describe widespread mobile-payment use across dining, hotels, supermarkets, transportation, and everyday services
Can Thai Travelers Use Other E-Wallets?
Yes, in some cases.
China's 2026 guidance lists TrueMoney from Thailand among overseas e-wallets that can be used to pay directly by scanning QR codes at participating merchants in China. Availability may depend on the merchant and the service, so check your account before traveling.
What If My Card Cannot Be Linked?
An overseas bank card may fail to link because of verification by the card issuer or payment platform.
Check your card details, international-use settings, verification status, and bank notifications.
If the problem continues, contact your card issuer or the payment platform's customer service.
Alipay or WeChat Pay: Which Is Better?
Both can be useful for everyday payments in China.
For travelers, having both available can provide additional flexibility if one platform or payment method is temporarily unavailable.
Prepare Your Payments Before Traveling
Before traveling to China:
• Download Alipay
• Download or update WeChat
• Register your accounts
• Link your preferred international card
• Check that your card is enabled for overseas use
• Complete your setup before departure
• Prepare some RMB cash
• Bring a backup bank card
• Check fees and exchange rates
Conclusion
For Thai travelers, preparing Alipay or WeChat Pay together with an international bank card and some RMB cash can make payments in China more convenient and flexible.
Set up your payment methods before leaving Thailand and check the latest fees, limits, and service conditions before using them, as payment policies may change.
Explore China
If you are planning a trip to China, explore our China Travel Guide for information on popular cities, China Arrival Card, internet access, and essential travel preparation.
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