"How do I pay for things?" is the first question every foreign visitor asks. The good news: China has been accepting foreign cards on WeChat Pay and Alipay since 2023.
1. WeChat Pay with a foreign card
Open WeChat, tap "Me" - "Services" - "Wallet" - "Cards". Add your Visa/Mastercard/JCB. You need to verify your passport. The process takes 5 minutes. After that you can scan QR codes everywhere.
2. Alipay with a foreign card
Open Alipay, search "Tour Pass" or "International Cards". Add your card. Alipay supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diner's Club. There is a small 3% fee per transaction.
3. Where you can pay by phone
- Gas stations: scan the QR code on the pump
- Toll booths: scan at the manned lane
- Parking lots: scan the QR code on the meter
- Restaurants: scan the table QR code
- Hotels, shops, ticket offices: almost everywhere
4. Where you still need cash
Remote mountain gas stations, small village restaurants, some old town parking lots. Carry 300-500 RMB in cash. We give you 200 RMB at pickup for emergencies.
5. Gas station payment in detail
Drive in, turn off the engine, tell the attendant "92, full". After filling, scan the QR code next to the pump with WeChat or Alipay. Our cars take 92 octane. 92 is about 7.8 RMB/litre.
6. Common problems
Q: My card is declined. A: Try the other app. Some banks block China transactions; call your bank before you leave home.
Q: Do I need a Chinese bank account? A: No. Foreign cards work directly.
Q: Is there a transaction limit? A: WeChat Pay has a 6,000 RMB/day limit for foreign cards; Alipay similar.
7. We help at pickup
We check your WeChat/Alipay, help bind your card if needed, teach you to scan your first gas station QR, and give you 200 RMB cash. Any payment problem on the road, message us on WeChat qxzj7557.