China travel answer · Payments
How do I set up Alipay and WeChat Pay as a foreigner?
Reviewed 2026-09-07 · Conditions and policies can change
Direct answer
Download both apps before travel, verify your identity with passport details where requested, and link an eligible international Visa or Mastercard. Test setup before you need to pay in a busy place.
What to know
- ●Use the same passport name you will use for hotels, trains and attraction tickets.
- ●Some functions, limits and merchant categories can differ between Alipay and WeChat Pay.
- ●Keep a second payment method because card issuer checks, app verification or network issues can interrupt payments.