FAQ: Paying in China (2025) | WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay

Below are the most common questions foreigners have about paying in China. For step-by-step guides, see the main Guides section.

💳 Card Acceptance in China

Foreign cards are not accepted everywhere. Mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are essential for daily life.
Some high-end hotels and malls accept Visa/Mastercard, but most local shops do not.
UnionPay QuickPass (NFC) works at select chains with some foreign cards.

Method	Where to Use	Pros	Cons
WeChat Pay Intl.	Most shops, taxis, restaurants	Fast, social, supports many cards	Some cards may not work
Alipay Intl.	Most shops, taxis, vending	Fast, supports many cards	Some cards may not work
UnionPay QuickPass	Malls, Starbucks, Uniqlo	NFC, works with some foreign cards	Not accepted everywhere
Cash	Rural areas, taxis, emergencies	Always accepted	Not convenient, need to carry

Q1: Can I use my foreign credit card everywhere in China?

No. You need to set up WeChat Pay or Alipay for daily purchases. Foreign cards work at some hotels and malls, but not for most shops or taxis.

Q2: How do I, a foreigner, get on WeChat Pay?

Download WeChat, register with your real name and passport, and link your Visa/Mastercard. See our WeChat Pay Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Q3: Alipay or WeChat Pay: Which is better?

Both are widely accepted. WeChat Pay is more social (for P2P), Alipay sometimes has better English support. Set up both if possible.

Q4: Do I need a Chinese phone number?

Not always. Most foreigners can now register with their home country number (+65, +60, +1, etc.), but a Chinese SIM can help with SMS OTPs.

Q5: Is it safe to use mobile payments?

Yes. Both platforms use advanced encryption and two-factor authentication. Use a strong password and never share your payment code.

Screenshot your payment QR code before landing (roaming data can be slow at airports).
Bring a backup Visa/Mastercard that supports UnionPay QuickPass for offline terminals.
Test your payment apps at the airport before heading into the city.
Always keep some cash for emergencies and rural areas.

Last updated: June 2025