Paying in China 2025: A Guide to Using Foreign Cards in Chinese Apps
Welcome to China! You've probably noticed that cash is rarely used here. Almost everything is paid for by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. But how can you, as a foreigner, join this cashless system? The answer lies in connecting your home bank card (like Visa or Mastercard) to China's popular apps.
This guide will show you which major Chinese apps accept foreign bank cards directly, what to look out for, and how to get set up.
The Golden Rule: Alipay and WeChat Pay First!
Before anything else, your top priority should be linking your foreign credit card to Alipay and WeChat Pay. These two "super-apps" are used for over 90% of all mobile payments in China. Successfully setting them up will allow you to pay at millions of shops, restaurants, and for most online services.
App Support for Foreign Cards: The Master List
Sometimes you might want to pay directly within an app, especially for services like ride-hailing or travel booking. Here is a breakdown of which popular apps support direct payments with foreign Visa (V) and Mastercard (M) cards.
| App Name | Category | Direct Visa/Mastercard | Apple Pay (UnionPay Cards Only) | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ζ»΄ζ»΄εΊθ‘ (Didi Chuxing)SALES | Transportation | β Yes | β Yes | Works well. Add your card in the "Wallet" section beforehand, not during payment. |
| ζΊη¨ (Trip.com / Ctrip)SALES | Travel | β Yes | β Yes | Requires you to enter and save card info on the payment page. A 3% fee may apply to some bookings. |
| ηΎε’ (Meituan)QR | Food & Lifestyle | β Yes | β Yes | Can be unreliable. Payments are often flagged and declined for "risk control." Have a backup ready. |
| ζΌε€ε€ (Pinduoduo) | Shopping | β Yes | β Yes | Charges a 3% fee for direct card payments (with a minimum fee of 2 RMB). |
| δΊ¬δΈ (JD.com)SALES | Shopping | β No | β Yes | Direct Visa/Mastercard payment only works if you have a Hong Kong shipping address. |
| 12306 (China Railway) | Transportation | β Yes | β No | Official app for booking train tickets. International version often works better for foreign cards. |
| ε»εͺεΏ (Qunar) | Travel | β No | β Yes | Mainly a platform for other vendors; payment is often redirected. |
| εδ½δΌ (H Rewards / Huazhu Hotels) | Travel | β No | β Yes | Hotel booking app. |
| ε―εδΌ (Vipshop) | Shopping | β No | β Yes | Outlet and discount shopping. |
| ζι³ (Douyin) | Social Media | β No | β No | While you can bind a card for virtual gifts, general e-commerce payment is not supported. |
| εΏ«ζ (Kuaishou) | Social Media | β No | β No | Similar to Douyin, not for general payments. |
Key Takeaways from the Table:
- Travel and Transport are your best bet: Apps like Didi (ride-hailing) and Trip.com (flights/hotels) have the best support for foreign cards because they are designed with travelers in mind.
- Fees can be a factor: Be aware that some platforms, like Pinduoduo and Trip.com, may add a 3% transaction fee. This is a standard processing fee for international cards.
- Apple Pay isn't a silver bullet: The "Apple Pay" support listed here generally only works if you have a UnionPay-branded card linked to your Apple Wallet, which most foreigners do not. Learn more about payment method comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why was my foreign card declined even if the app supposedly accepts it?
This is the most common problem. It's usually due to strict "risk control" systems used by Chinese platforms. Your home bank might see a transaction from a new Chinese merchant and block it, or the Chinese platform's security system might flag your foreign card as suspicious. Meituan is particularly known for this. For detailed troubleshooting, check our card declined fix guide.
2. What's the easiest way to pay for everything?
Link your Visa or Mastercard to Alipay. Then, get your Alipay account fully verified (usually requires uploading your passport photo). This will give you the most seamless payment experience across China, both online and in physical stores. Read our complete Alipay setup guide for step-by-step instructions.
3. What about American Express (AmEx) or Discover?
Support for AmEx and Discover is much rarer than for Visa and Mastercard. While Alipay and WeChat Pay have started to support them, direct payment within other apps is highly unlikely to work. Check out our dedicated AmEx payments guide for more details.
4. Is it safe to enter my credit card information into these apps?
Generally, yes. The apps listed are massive, legitimate companies. However, always ensure you are downloading the official app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Be cautious of lookalike apps and only enter payment details on secure pages (look for the "https" in the URL). For more about payment security and limits, see our payment limits guide.