China's mobile payment apps now support international cards. Step-by-step setup before your trip — Alipay vs WeChat Pay, fees, limits, and what works where.
Both Apps Now Accept International Cards
Since 2024, both Alipay and WeChat Pay support international Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Setup takes 10 minutes from your home country.
Alipay (Recommended for first-timers)
- Download Alipay from your country's App Store
- Sign up with your phone number
- Complete passport-based identity verification
- Bind your international credit card
- Top up the in-app wallet for first transaction
WeChat Pay
Same process as Alipay but limits are stricter for foreign cards: $200 per transaction, $1,000 per month, $50,000 annually.
Fees
- Alipay: 3% on transactions under ¥200, free for ¥200+
- WeChat Pay: 3% on all foreign-card transactions
Bottom Line
For most medical travelers, Alipay alone is sufficient. Bring ¥2,000 cash backup and you're set.