Your Questions, Answered!
1. So, can I just use my credit card everywhere in China?
Short answer: not really. While you might get away with it at fancy hotels or high-end shops, for day-to-day stuff like grabbing a coffee or a taxi, it's all about mobile payments. Trust me, you'll want to get WeChat Pay or Alipay set up.
2. How do I, a foreigner, get on this WeChat Pay train?
It's gotten way easier! You can now link your international credit card directly. I've got a step-by-step guide here that walks you through the whole process. It's a game-changer.
3. Alipay or WeChat Pay: What's the better bet for a foreigner?
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either, and many people use both. I've found WeChat Pay is pretty much everywhere. Alipay has a really solid international version too, which sometimes has better English support. My advice? Try setting up both if you can.
4. Do I really need a Chinese phone number for all this?
Yep, this one's a must. You'll need a Chinese number to activate both WeChat Pay and Alipay. First thing I do when I land is grab a local SIM card. It's cheap and makes life so much easier.
5. Is it safe to have all my money on my phone?
Totally understand the concern! But yeah, it's super secure. Both platforms are backed by major tech companies and use top-notch security. Just be smart about it: use a strong password and don't share your payment code with anyone!