The short answer
- Payments: link a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay before you fly. No fee up to RMB 200 per payment; 3% above that.
- Limits: about US$5,000 per payment and US$50,000 per year on Alipay with a foreign card.
- Data: install an international eSIM or turn on roaming. A Chinese SIM will not open LINE, WhatsApp or Google.
- Must-have apps: Alipay, WeChat, a map app such as Amap, and a translation app you have tested offline.
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1. Payments: set up before you fly
China pays by QR code. Cards and cash still work in hotels and larger stores, but a phone payment app makes daily life far easier.
- Install Alipay and register with your passport name exactly as printed.
- Link your overseas Visa or Mastercard. Tell your bank you are travelling to China so it does not block the payment.
- Test a small payment in Alipay before you leave home if possible.
- Install WeChat as a backup. It also supports foreign cards and is how most Chinese suppliers and guides will message you.
| Alipay with a foreign card | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Payment of RMB 200 or less | No service fee |
| Payment over RMB 200 | 3% service fee on that payment |
| Single payment limit | About US$5,000 |
| Annual limit | About US$50,000 |
From Thailand: TrueMoney Wallet pays at Chinese merchants that accept Alipay+ QR codes, and converts from baht at the daily rate. Other Southeast Asian wallets may offer the same through Alipay+; check your wallet app.
2. Mobile data: why an eSIM matters
Google, LINE, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram do not work on Chinese mobile networks or on most Chinese Wi-Fi. Roaming from your home carrier, or an international eSIM bought before you leave, usually routes your data outside mainland China, so these apps keep working.
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
- Buy and install the eSIM at home, while you still have Wi-Fi. Activate it when you land.
- Choose enough data for maps, translation and video calls. 1 to 2 GB per day is a comfortable allowance.
- Keep your home SIM active for bank one-time passwords.
3. Apps to install at home
| App | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Alipay | Payments, metro QR codes in many cities, ride-hailing inside the app |
| Messaging suppliers, hotels and guides; backup payments | |
| Amap (Gaode) | Maps and public transport directions; has an English interface |
| Trip.com or Railway 12306 | High-speed train and flight tickets with your passport |
| A translation app | Download Chinese for offline use and test it before you go |
4. Getting around
- Metro: many cities let you scan an Alipay transit QR code at the gate. Otherwise buy a single ticket at the machine.
- Taxis: order a car through Alipay or DiDi and show the driver the Chinese address.
- Trains: tickets are linked to your passport. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for security and passport checks at large stations.
5. At the hotel
- Confirm when you book that the hotel accepts foreign passports.
- The hotel registers your stay with the police at check-in. If you stay in a private home, register at the local police station, normally within 24 hours in cities.
- Save the hotel name and address in Chinese on your phone and on paper.
Questions
Can foreigners use Alipay in China?
Yes. Download Alipay, register with your passport and link an overseas Visa or Mastercard. You can then scan to pay almost anywhere. Payments of RMB 200 or less have no service fee; larger foreign-card payments carry a 3% fee.
Can Thai people pay in China with TrueMoney?
Yes. TrueMoney Wallet can pay at merchants in China that accept Alipay+ QR codes. In the app, choose scan to pay, select Alipay+ and China, then scan the merchant's code.
Does LINE or WhatsApp work in China?
Not on Chinese mobile networks or most hotel Wi-Fi. Travellers usually keep them working by using roaming from their home carrier or an international eSIM, because that data is routed outside mainland China.
Should I bring cash to China?
Bring a small amount, for example RMB 500 to 1,000, as a backup for small shops, taxis and when your phone battery dies. Most payments are made by QR code, and some small vendors may not have change.
Rules change. We re-check this guide regularly; confirm details before you travel or ship.
