Since 2010, along with the mobile internet boom, China has gradually transitioned into a cashless society. From high-end restaurants and hotels down to street stalls, almost any transaction can be completed with mobile payment. So people don’t need to carry cash or bank cards when they go out — with just a smartphone, they can pay for taxis, tickets, entertainment, shopping, and other everyday spending.
For foreign travelers, should you choose Alipay or WeChat Pay? You can refer to the table below:
| Comparison | Alipay | WeChat Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Setup difficulty | Low | Medium |
| Payment fees | Same | Same |
| Acceptance | High | Higher |
| Customer support | High | Medium |
Key notes:
- Setup difficulty: Alipay lets you complete identity verification with just a passport, offers an English interface, and supports overseas phone numbers; WeChat may require help from an already-verified friend, and provides less guidance in English.
- Payment fees: Both charge about a 3% fee on single transactions over 200 yuan; transactions under 200 yuan are free.
- Acceptance: Both work in the vast majority of scenarios across China; WeChat Pay has wider coverage at small shops and street stalls.
- Customer support: Alipay offers an English customer service hotline and English in-app support; WeChat support is mainly in Chinese and slower to resolve issues.
Ready to set up? Start with the Alipay setup guide for foreigners, then add WeChat Pay as a backup.