A Complete Guide: Payment Methods for Foreign Travelers in China

How to Set-Up Alipay (支付宝) for Foreigners

1. Download Alipay app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Sign up for an account using your Singapore phone number to receive a verification code via SMS. Select your country (Singapore) and grant permission for your “Location Services”.
3. Add your Bank Card either through the prompt on the Main Screen, or via Account > Bank Cards.

4. You’ll be prompted to set up a 6-digit payment password. Remember this password as you will need it when you make changes and for your first payment using the App.
5. You can add multiple cards – go to Account > Bank Cards > “Add” Sign (Top right corner).
6. Alipay now supports cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, JCB and UnionPay.
7. You will need to verify your Identify once the cumulative payment amount made via your Alipay Account reaches RMB 15,000 (~SGD $2,800).
8. To verify your identify, click on Accounts > “Settings Icon” (Top Right) > Account and Security > Identity Information.
9. Singaporeans must use their passport to verify. You’ll need to either Upload a photo of your Passport Information page or Verify your Passport Chip. Follow the prompts to complete in-person face verification.

How to Pay using Alipay

1. Tap “Pay/Receive” and display your QR code to the merchant or scan it using their QR code reader. This is common in most restaurants and shops.
2. Tap “Scan” to scan merchant-presented QR code. This is usually more common in smaller shops.

There are some cases where Alipay may fail when scanning an individual’s code for payment. In such cases, try with Weixin Pay or use Cash instead.

How to Top Up Your Digital Wallets in China?

Foreigners are unable to top up both Weixin Pay Wallets and Alipay Wallets, as these transactions require a China-Issued Bank card. Foreigners are also unable to accept “Red Packets” via WeChat.

However, you can accept transfers into your Alipay Balance using the ‘Receive’ QR code for individuals. This can be useful for refunds, such as when paying via cash and the vendor has no change in cash for you.

If you would like to avoid the 3% transaction fee for payments above RMB 200 and happen to have a friend in China, you can also ask them to transfer money to your Alipay Balance. This balance can then be used to make payments to vendors (select the “Balance” option instead of your linked credit card at the Payment QR Code page).

Alternatively, foreigners can top up their Alipay Wallets via Alipay Tour Card. To do so, simply search for “Tour Card” inside the Alipay App and follow the prompts. However, there is a 5% service fee for each top up, so it would make more sense to simply bind your credit card instead.

3.2 Wechat Pay(微信支付)

How to Set-Up WeChat Pay (微信支付) for Foreigners

1. Download WeChat app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Sign up and verify your account with your Singapore phone number and email.
3. Activate WeChat Pay via the following – Chats > ‘Add’ Sign (Top right corner) > Money > Enable Now > Add Bank Card

4. You’ll be prompted to set up a 6-digit payment password. Remember this password as you will need it when you make changes and for your first payment using the App.
5. Weixin Pay now supports cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, JCB, Diners Club and Discover.
6. Similar to Alipay, you’ll need to verify your Identify once the cumulative payment amount made via your Weixin Pay reaches RMB 15,000 (~SGD $2,800).
7. To verify your identify, click on Chats > Service Messages > Provide Full Identity Information. Follow the prompts to upload your Passport Information page and complete in-person face verification.

How to Pay using WeChat Pay

1. Tap Chats > “Add” Sign (Top right corner) > Money > to generate your QR Payment Code and present your QR code to the merchant or scan it using their QR code reader.
2. More app features are available after ID Verification, and you can also make payment via Me > Services > Money

Some Notes on Payments:

• Alipay and Weixin Pay cannot be used for payments by foreigners outside of China, as the payment codes outside China only accept payments made from PRC-ID verified apps. This means that you are unable to ‘test’ if your Alipay/Weixin Pay has been set up successfully in Singapore. Take a leap of faith here, make sure you set up both apps + bring some cash along on your first trip to China.

• Have multiple cards as backups in each wallet. If any card fails, the transaction will default to the next available card. Take note not to add credit cards that do not belong to you as this could result in your account getting blocked.

• Adding a second Bank Card for Weixin Pay without ID verification may not be possible as the “Add Bank Card” option is only available in Me > Services > Wallet > Bank Cards. “Services” does not appear to be available in unverified accounts.

• Note that both Alipay and Weixin Pay may be unsuccessful with Vending Machines.

Fees, Exchange Rates and Spend Limits

Transaction Fees

There will be a transaction fee charged by both Alipay and WeChat, depending on your transaction amount:

Quick Tip: most vendors are happy to split the payments for you (as long as there’s no queue waiting behind you).

Alternatively, refer to the section below on How to Avoid the 3% Transaction Fee?.

Exchange Rates

The exchange rate is provided by the credit card issuing bank.

For better foreign currency exchange rates and to avoid the bank’s foreign currency fee (usually around 3.25%), consider using Amaze/Youtrip/Revolut as your linked card.

Spending Limits

New guidelines announced by the Chinese Government in March 2024 have increased the single transaction limit of mobile payment for foreigners in China.

These new limit apply only for Verified Customers, as there is a limit of RMB 15,000  (~SGD2,800) for non-verified payment use with both Alipay and Weixin Pay.