China is the world’s most advanced cashless society. Mobile payments account for over 80% of all transactions. This guide helps foreigners set up and use WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Payment Platform Comparison
| Feature | WeChat Pay | Alipay |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Tencent | Ant Group (Alibaba) |
| Users | 1.3 billion | 1 billion |
| Best For | Social payments | Shopping & bills |
| Foreign Cards | Visa, MC, JCB | Visa, MC, Diners |
Setting Up WeChat Pay
- Open WeChat → Me → Services → Wallet
- Tap “Add a Card” → Enter card details
- Verify with SMS code from your bank
- Set 6-digit payment password
- Complete identity verification (passport)
How to Pay
Scan to Pay: Open app → Scan → Point at merchant’s QR code → Enter amount → Confirm
Be Scanned: Open app → Pay/Collect → Show QR code to merchant → They scan → Done
Transaction Limits for Foreigners
- Single transaction: ¥5,000 RMB
- Daily limit: ¥20,000 RMB
- Monthly limit: ¥50,000 RMB
Tips for Foreigners
- Keep some cash as backup (¥200-500)
- Link at least 2 cards in case one fails
- Enable transaction notifications