Why this matters more than a phrasebook
China is overwhelmingly cashless in daily life. Taxis, street food stalls, convenience stores, and even some public toilets expect a QR code scan through WeChat Pay or Alipay, not a card swipe. Foreign cards are accepted at major hotels and some tourist-facing businesses, but outside of those, you'll struggle without one of these two apps working on your phone.
The step both apps share: phone verification
Whichever app you set up first, you'll need to receive a one-time verification code by SMS during account creation, and again occasionally when the app wants to re-confirm your identity. This is where your eSIM matters: you need an active data connection and, in most setups, a phone number capable of receiving that SMS at the moment you're registering. Try to do this on airport Wi-Fi with your UK or home SIM roaming turned off, and you may find the verification step stalls.
Activate your Chinaesim.io eSIM before you start setting up either app, not after you hit a wall.
Setting up Alipay as a visitor
Alipay has a version aimed specifically at international visitors, allowing you to link a foreign credit or debit card instead of a Chinese bank account. During setup you'll go through identity verification, which typically includes your passport details and a live selfie check. Do this before you need to pay for anything, ideally on your first day, since the verification can take a little time to clear.
Setting up WeChat Pay as a visitor
WeChat Pay's international visitor setup works similarly: install WeChat, link a foreign card, and complete identity verification. WeChat is also the default messaging and social app in China, so most travellers end up needing it anyway to communicate with hotels, tour guides, or local contacts, separate from the payment feature.
Common snags foreign visitors hit
- Card linking rejected: Not all foreign card networks are supported by every bank on the backend, if one card fails, try a different card issuer.
- Verification stuck "pending": Usually resolves within a few hours, but make sure your eSIM data connection stays active during this window.
- Daily or transaction spending limits: Visitor accounts on both apps typically have lower limits than local accounts, fine for day-to-day spending but worth knowing before a big purchase.
- QR code scanning confusion: In China, you usually scan the merchant's code rather than them scanning yours, the opposite of some Western payment apps.
Before you land
- Activate your Chinaesim.io eSIM before you try to register either app.
- Have your passport and a supported card ready during setup.
- Set up at least one of the two apps before you need to pay for anything, ideally at your hotel with reliable data rather than mid-transaction at a market stall.
- Keep a small amount of cash as backup for the rare vendor who doesn't take either app.
Getting WeChat Pay or Alipay working isn't just a convenience in China, it's often the only practical way to pay. A working eSIM from the moment you land is what makes the setup process possible in the first place.