Alipay or WeChat Pay: Which is better to pay in China?

Travelling to China today holds a surprise for first-timers: you can go for days without ever touching a banknote, as almost everything is paid for via QR codes. This is where Alipay and WeChat Pay come in—two apps that pretty much run everything. If you don't have them set up beforehand, things can get trickier than you might expect.

If you're wondering how to handle payments in China without losing your mind, at Trip.com we'll help you understand what each one offers, their real benefits, and which one you should have ready before you touch down.

💸 How to pay in China as a tourist?

China is almost entirely cashless, so understanding how to pay before you travel is more important than you might think. Here are some of the top payment methods to get you started:

The most popular payment methods in China

🔵 What is Alipay and how does it work?

Alipay is one of the most popular payment apps in China. In fact, if you're planning a trip to the country, it's highly likely you'll end up using it for almost everything: from paying in restaurants and supermarkets to catching a taxi or buying train tickets.

To put it simply, Alipay works via QR codes. You scan or get scanned, confirm the amount… and you’re done. No cash, no fuss. The beauty of Alipay is that it’s a quick method, works almost everywhere, and is also really well-adapted for tourists.

💰 What you can pay for with Alipay

With Alipay, you can pay at:

• Restaurants, from small local spots to large chains
• Supermarkets and convenience stores
• Public transport, such as the underground and buses (in many cities)
• High-speed trains
• Apps like Didi for getting around the city
• Shops, markets and even street stalls

✅ The benefits of Alipay for travellers

What makes Alipay for tourists so useful isn't just that it works, but how it works.

• Simple registration, with no complicated processes or technical steps to worry about.
• Easily link your international cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX)
• It’s accepted almost everywhere across the country, even in smaller shops.
• In-app translation, super handy if you don't speak Chinese!
• Access mini apps for transport, bookings, and services.
• Compatible with local apps like Didi for getting around the city
• Fast QR payments, no cash needed!
• The interface is quite intuitive, even for first-time users.

💳 How to link an international card to Alipay (step-by-step)

This is where most people get a bit stuck… but honestly, if you follow the steps, you’ll have it sorted in just a few minutes.

1. To get started, install Alipay and sign up using your phone number. You’ll receive an SMS code to verify your account.
2. Before you can add a card, you'll need to verify your identity. Simply head over to Account > Settings > Real-name verification and scan your passport. Make sure to enter your details exactly as they appear on the document.
3. Once you're verified, you're all set to link your card. Just head to Account > Bank cards and tap the '+' button to add a new one.
4. Now it's time to enter your card details (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB). You can do this manually or simply scan it with your camera.
5. Simply accept the terms, verify with the code you receive... and that's it, your card is added!

▶️ Download Alipay from the Play Store ▶️ Download Alipay from the App Store

🟢 What is WeChat Pay and how does it work?

WeChat Pay is the payment system integrated into WeChat, the most popular messaging app in China. While many people compare it to WhatsApp, it actually goes much further, allowing you to make payments, order services, book transport, and handle a whole host of other tasks, all from one single app.

As for how it works, it’s very similar to Alipay. You simply need to link a compatible card and pay by scanning a QR code or by showing your own for the merchant to scan. Payments are processed instantly, and you can use it at millions of establishments across the country.

The big difference is that WeChat Pay is part of the WeChat ecosystem. This means you can chat with friends, follow accounts, book services, and pay without ever leaving the app. That’s why, for many people living in China, it’s an essential part of their daily routine that they use constantly.

📲 What you can do with WeChat

• Send messages and stay in touch with locals or services
• Use mini apps to order food, buy tickets, or book activities
• Book restaurant tables without leaving the app
• Order delivery in seconds from nearby businesses
• Use Didi for a hassle-free way to get around the city

✅ The benefits of WeChat Pay for travellers

WeChat Pay might not be the easiest option to start with, but it’s certainly one of the most comprehensive once you’re up and running.

• Fully immersed in daily life in China
• Accepted almost everywhere, from restaurants to small shops.
• Easily make payments directly within chats or transfer money between friends.
• Access mini apps for bookings, transport, delivery, and services.
• Perfect for connecting with locals and getting around like one of them
• Perfect for long stays or more immersive travel experiences.
• It works as a complete ecosystem within WeChat.

💳 How to link an international card to WeChat Pay

Now for the practical part. And yes, you can use WeChat Pay as a foreigner, but you need to make sure it’s set up correctly.

To get started, open the app and head to the ‘Me’ tab (bottom right). From there, go to ‘Services’ and then ‘Wallet’.

Once you're in, head to ‘Bank cards’ and tap ‘Add a bank card’.

From there:

1. Enter your card details (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover or Diners Club)
2. Make sure to enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
3. Verify your identity, in some cases by uploading a photo of your passport.
4. Create a 6-digit payment PIN to authorise your transactions

▶️ Download WeChat from the Play Store ▶️ Download WeChat from the App Store

⚖️ Which is better, Alipay or WeChat Pay?

When you're planning your trip, it's natural to think you have to choose one of these payment platforms, but the reality is a little more nuanced. To put it simply, both work, both can be used to pay, and both are everywhere.

The difference lies in how they adapt to you as a traveller.

🚕 Pay for Transport in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay

Getting around China is easier than you might think... as long as your phone is set up correctly. This is where Alipay and WeChat Pay really make a difference. The thing is, you can pay for almost all transport using QR codes or directly through the apps, so you can forget about the hassle of buying physical tickets every five minutes.

💙 How to pay for transport with Alipay

1. Head into the app and look for "Transport" or "Metro" on the home screen. In some versions, it appears directly as a quick access shortcut.
2. Select the city you're currently in (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.).
3. Accept the terms and activate the service.
4. Alipay will generate a dynamic QR code for you.
5. Just scan that QR code at the turnstiles or transport scanners.
6. When you're ready to leave, just scan the same code again.

💚 How to pay for transport with WeChat Pay

1. Head to Me > Services (Pay) in the app.
2. Look for the transport option or use the search bar with "metro + city".
3. Select your city and activate the service.
4. Accept the terms... and you're all set, your QR code is generated.
5. Just like with Alipay, simply hold your code up to the metro or bus scanner.
6. When you're ready to leave, just scan again.

🔋 Rent a power bank in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay

If you're planning to spend a few hours out and about, sooner or later you'll likely find yourself using one of the shared power banks dotted all over China. They’re incredibly handy, available to rent by the hour, and you’ll spot them in restaurants, shopping centres, metro stations, airports, and tourist attractions.

🟡 Yellow power banks (Jiedian 街电)

The yellow Jiedian power banks are, by far, the easiest to find. They’re practically everywhere, making them the most convenient choice when you’re running low on battery. To rent one, simply scan the QR code via Alipay or WeChat Pay and complete the payment. Within seconds, the power bank will unlock automatically.

📌 A quick heads-up for travellers: in many cases, you'll need a Chinese phone number or an active Chinese eSIM to complete the verification process.

🔵 Blue power banks (Xiaodian 小电)

The blue Xiaodian power banks work in much the same way. Just scan the QR code, make your payment, and take the battery from the station.

The upside is that they’re usually much easier for tourists to use, as you typically don’t need a Chinese phone number to complete the rental. The downside is the exact opposite of Jiedian: there are fewer stations available, so they can be a little trickier to track down depending on which city or area you’re exploring.

📱 How to rent a power bank in China

There’s no mystery here, but it’s worth being clear about it:

1. Scan the QR code at the station
2. Confirm your rental via Alipay or WeChat Pay
3. The battery unlocks automatically.
4. Use it for as long as you need
5. Simply return it to any participating station

📶 Mobile internet for Alipay or WeChat Pay in China

If there’s one thing you can’t do without on a trip to China, it’s a stable internet connection. That’s why we’re showing you how to get one:

📱 eSIM or physical SIM: which one should you choose?

When it comes to staying connected in China, the two most popular options are the eSIM and the physical SIM.

An eSIM is often the most convenient option for travellers. You can purchase yours before you jet off, install it in a matter of minutes, and land with your connection ready to go. It’s the perfect way to skip the hassle of hunting for a local shop or wasting precious time setting up a SIM card the moment you arrive.

A physical SIM remains a great alternative, especially for those who prefer a more traditional approach. Just keep in mind that you’ll usually need to pick one up at the airport or a local shop once you’ve arrived in China.

🔒 Do you need a VPN for China?

It depends on the apps you're planning to use. You won't need a VPN for Alipay, WeChat Pay, DiDi, local maps, or most other Chinese services. These apps work perfectly fine within the country.

However, if you're planning to use services like Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, it's highly recommended to have a VPN installed before you travel. China maintains restrictions on many Western platforms, and once you're in the country, downloading or setting up a VPN can be quite a bit trickier.

🚫 Apps you can use in China without a VPN

🛒 Online shopping in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay

Once you’ve mastered payments, there’s another temptation: shopping. China is truly in a league of its own when it comes to online retail. In this Asian powerhouse, there are some clear differences between the apps, and it’s well worth knowing them.

🛍️ Taobao and Tmall

To kick things off, Taobao and Tmall are the e-commerce giants in China. And here, Alipay reigns supreme. It’s seamlessly integrated, making payments instant.

• Perfect for shopping for clothes, gadgets, or just about anything.
• Highly competitive prices
• Speedy delivery across the country

Mind you, the interface is in Chinese, so it can be a bit chaotic if you're not used to it.

📦 JD.com

Next up is JD.com, which operates in a similar way but with a different approach.

Here, the integration with WeChat is even stronger. In fact, you can access JD directly from mini-apps within WeChat.

• More 'official' or branded products
• Better logistics in many cases
• A cleaner experience than Taobao

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