Mobile Payments In China: What You Need To Know Before Visiting | Money Mind

Foreigners will now find it a lot easier to pay for things in China. International credit cards can now be linked with the country’s two major mobile payment platforms, Wechat and Alipay. So how do you get started, and what do you need to do before you leave home?
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[@wks2291]

Unless you travel very frequently or need to stay for an extended period, there is no need to. Cash can be used. I was able to use cash for every transaction in Beijing and Tianjin recently. Completely no issues . Of course it helped that i could speak fluent Mandarin.

[@ondreiii]

You can link non-Chinese credit card to any of these mobile pay platform to make in-store purchases HOWEVER you cannot use it for peer to peer transfer such as spliting a dinner bill with a friend or tipping a masseuse for the service they rendered.

[@leanlifer]

We don't tip the masseuse here. Happy ending is either free of charge or not offered.

[@jukio02]

There's no tipping in China.

[@ondreiii]

There are no restrictions to tipping either. I do whatever I want with my goddam money. Do you Mainland Chinese not pay your friends back when y’all go out and someone footing in the bill for convenience? Bad character..

[@leanlifer]

@@ondreiii No, we don't. We take in turns to pay the bill. There will always be the next gathering.

[@angelalim0502]

@@ondreiiisince you already say you do what you want with your goddamn money, then, why you so bother how the Chinese do with their goddess money? 🙄

[@Liboch]

About 15 years ago, I wanted to pay my hotel room with Visa and Master Card. The receiption took the card, had a long look, and apologised. I was surprised it was not accepted in a fairly big hotel. Luckily I had enough cash.

[@good-morning650]

哈哈😆

[@emmamackenziefang1352]

Hi! I’m a student at Communication University of China majoring in International Journalism. I’m currently conducting a research on foreign tourists’ payment problem in when traveling in China. If you would like to talk more on the topic, please let me know. Thank you a lot for your attention and kindness! :)

[@avi_bhatt]

India is using this cashless transcation named UPI since 2016, google pay comes later too.

[@stefanong1917]

Indonesia is becoming like this, but luckily we still accept visa and mastercard.

[@simplyme3306]

Still do not like the idea of entering my passport and photo into the app. Also I tend to avoid using credit card overseas unless necessary due to the loss in currency exchange etc...

[@darkevilazn]

Even with a debit card, and physical cash exchange, there is always a loss. Depends on your back probably, as they have their own internal cash conversion rate.

[@kealee6350]

Many advanced countries are shock to see how cashless China is moving ahead.

[@funnymakerboy4199]

They too lazy to change Western countries used to card system. China's neighboring country has more advanced payment technology than China.

[@FireWall.]

This is basically the same as using apple/Google pay in many other countries. I don't see what the big fuss is about.

[@yakyyaky1]

@@FireWall.because money is power and freedom! Are you for real? I will never want to live in a society like China, but I see they want to bring the same shitty system in the west countries. I hope we will fight against it, not like the chinese that they comply for everything

[@RaymondChan-tt4ms]

I would agree on that IF they accept other forms cashless payment like credit cards. How could you have said is moving forward if they can't even accept credit cards which is one of the oldest form of cashless transaction. For me it just doesn't make sense for tourists to have to either download their cashless apps or face discrimination using cash in China. Given the choice if I'm a tourist China would definitely be at the bottom of my would be visiting list.

[@repubug1365]

​​@@RaymondChan-tt4msagree. Im also worried if i lose my cellphone or it is stolen there. How could i block my wechat / alipay before being used by others ?

[@HandsONreviews4u]

In NY thankfully cash is STILL HOLDING ITS OWN. I ACTUALLY SEE STORES THAT INDICATE CASH ONLY😅 music to my ears

[@freemagicfun]

Cashless is so convenient. I wish more countries would improve their system. And no, I am not worried about them 'tracking' me... if they want to - they already could. We gave up privacy many years ago, we may as well get the conveniences. 😎

[@Fr.VeniceLAI]

Actually, would imagine the BEST and Most convenience standard achieved would be those that of a Zoo caged animal. Every day, there is free-food, free-accommodation and most of all, always someone there daily to clean one's natural waste. Of course, free health - care regime guaranteed.

[@haralambospetalas5882]

Till they freeze your account

[@freemagicfun]

@@haralambospetalas5882 If they freeze your accounts... how much cash do you have in your pockets? Frozen accounts would be an issue no matter what. 😎

[@marktn9851]

Well, visa n master is still trying hard to prevent their losses of income n the west wouldn’t want to admit weakness by using China’s system of payment.

[@ALBAminute]

Spoken like a true slave!

[@normanwong6129]

Customers should be given the option to pay in cash there's also risks of being scammed by dodgy places I only use cards if I only have to

[@freemagicfun]

Cards give more buyer protection. You cannot do a stop payment on cash... 😎

[@Yya1393]

China has used Alipay for years, the Country has strictly control the scam , no need to worry

[@nsebast]

Why would you use cash on a dodgy place unless it's an grey area transaction?

[@BeMyArt]

WTF in demo she skipped registration in app! How can you add your card as foreign tourist without Chinese friends? Horrible system. They have to make tourist version of app that allows you get registration as local if you're really physically in China, for example.

[@playc5464]

Yes cashless is great, but the app charge fee. Wechat charge 3% fee

[@moshanqishi]

不可能，如果是3％，没人会使用微信😂

[@anonymousplayer8174]

stop capping, wechat never charged anyone 3% fee

[@hesapollo8]

@@anonymousplayer8174it does for foreign cards link for transaction above RMB200

[@simplyme3306]

@@anonymousplayer8174 they charge for purchases above 200 yuan

[@anonymousplayer8174]

I have been to China 7 years ago in 2017 and we never had mobile payments in Wechat, and now in 2024 I went to China again and I couldn't believe so many people use mobile wechat to pay for stuff

[@opelfrost]

mobile payment in china was done like 10 to 20 years ago

[@anonymousplayer8174]

​@@opelfrost Maybe it depends on the city because back then in 2017 I remembered I never seen anyone use mobile payment, and I went to Foshan and Guangzhou back then

[@opelfrost]

@@anonymousplayer8174 might be the case, cause china skipped the entire credit card phase and went straight into mobile payment, so they were way ahead of the curve

[@yellowman4173]

I am going to china this week and setup alipay, and Weixin Pay with mastercard. Can I now just scan the QR codes and pay for my thing with both of them. Does it matter that I cant Top-up my accounts?

[@btlim4316]

Yes it matters. The merchant must accept your mastercard in the first place. If the merchant does not accept mastercard, linking the mastercard to Alipay is not going to magically make the payment acceptable to the merchant. How did your trip go? I suggestion for short term travellers is just to stick with cash.

[@yellowman4173]

@@btlim4316 Thanks for the reply! My Trip went well. Only a few merchants didnt take creditcard, but used cash for it.

[@exxon5430]

Touch n go can be use. Malaysia boleah😊

[@olderchin1558]

It is easier to get a visa for China than one for Australia. Just went through the process, the ETA is so random.

[@donorTrumpet]

Only your passport need visa, sg no need😂

[@ondreiii]

Heck even the Chinese are dying to visit Australia. Can't compare lol.

[@bananaman22]

arent u going to lose alot of money to the exchange rate. seems awful

[@AW-tc4hy]

Credit cards are fading quickly. Why pay 3% when I can transfer money into the app directly? Lots of china folks everywhere, just do direct top up into app account.

[@Ashley_FNU]

I wasn't able to link my US credit cards to these mobile payment services when I went there. That was in 2018/2019.

[@Jkl62200]

Alipay only started this foreign CC link up a few years ago while wechat pay just started this year

[@yanglinluo]

In China right now, no wechat or Alipay, using cash. However, cashless payment is the preferred option. QR codes are everywhere for people to scan n pay.

[@lawrencel2544]

My parent is looking to use cash only. Is using cash less convenient?

[@siemprestruggle9272]

so you can still use cash then? are you in a big city?

[@PassionPno]

@@lawrencel2544 Most places in China no longer accept cash.

[@re.m4785]

You can’t scant QR if you don’t have China’s SIM card. You can use cash anywhere you want, it’s illegal not accept cash in China.

[@howweng6227]

@@siemprestruggle9272可以，不接受现金是违法的，商家必须接受

[@Wunderpus-photogenicus]

If I pay via Alipay in China to buy things (say RMB 100), will the bank statement of the credit card show the same amount (after exchanged to US$) as I was charged by the merchant (RMB), or could it be more? Will US banks deliberately use exchange rates unfavorable to me?

[@hanzocloud]

It’s funny most Chinese shops in Australia is “cash only” bcoz they don’t wanna pay tax hahaahahah

[@RayMak]

No one use cash in China. They don’t use our cards too

[@siemprestruggle9272]

is this the case now all over China and everywhere you go? What is the protocol in terms of attending to non chinese speakers if there is a tech issue and wechat/alipay doesn't work for whatever reason?

[@monbern]

does apply work in China?

[@andy3949]

Went to China 3 weeks ago...... I only had cash and credit card and had no trouble at any place I went in Shanghai. People are saying you need Alipay to survive but its not true.

[@mikolah2880]

So there is no paywave, I assume? XD It's a hassle to scan QR codes.

[@izzycarr4783]

Do you have to be over 18 for WeChat pay?and does the passport have to match the name of the card?

[@howweng6227]

我的女儿六岁，她的手机上有父母开的帐号，存钱在那里面，小孩也能用手机付款

[@informantunggal9749]

I need more topic about this

[@washington163]

中国人在新冠疫情期间基本放弃了使用纸币，因为那被认为会传播病菌。 另外，纸币找零也是个很麻烦的事情，而且你需要随身携带钱包，这也是促使中国人放弃纸币的重要原因。

[@TheRedSun1]

别乱说ok?

[@孙吧吧主孙笑川]

不要造谣😅在中国，商家不收现金是违法的，只是大多数人为了方便所以用手机支付

[@yogesh193001]

You can add your card, but you can't top up or pay for anything..

[@PassionPno]

Really?

[@marktn9851]

Ofc u can top-up with cash

[@claudetanabe959]

The setup is very painfully, support very slow by machine, It is impossible to change the payment password that It has been a week still no result, still a mess

[@TanujKumarGudania]

The digital payment structure of India has already addressed the Issue . India is way ahead from China when it comes to digital payment😂

[@tuapuikia]

Malaysia has already adopted the Touch 'n Go e-wallet. However, they also provide a Visa card as a backup plan. For me, I still prefer using Visa or MasterCard in case my travel e-SIM is not working.😊😊😅😅 I won't put China into my travel list anytime soon 😅

[@Kimmimaro86]

Hopefully, u will change your mind 1 day. At least go there and see what the US is so afraid of.

[@alexwong8867]

Yeah same here. Not interested in traveling to China in the near future. Not if Xi is still in control.

[@RapidReels994]

That's your personal preference, cash and visa cards can also be used in China.

[@tuapuikia]

@@RapidReels994 I tried that, and it is horrible. Not all merchant support visa or mastercard. Only Union card is widely supported. I use alipay with my visa linked, work like a charm. Visa and Master is the way.

[@shananarocks]

Singapore as a small country should take steps to prevent loss of individual money to scam especially using digital currency. Perhaps we can use some of the traditional security like the trusted "serial number" on old printed notes. This can be elevated to encrypted "serial number" for each digital denomination and if stolen or lost can be rendered void by issuing a new "encrypted" serial number for the specific individual digital denomination. This should be workable if the ASEAN country decides to adopt enhanced security measures for digital currency usage.

[@alimfuzzy]

What you're describing is cryptocurrency

[@shananarocks]

@@alimfuzzy Have you heard of China's E-Yuan?

[@alimfuzzy]

@@shananarocks CDBC. Same principle.

[@Valair2021]

Cashless as it is easier to transfer liquidity via electronic transmission instead of paper money. Government will have an easier time printing virtual money rather than actual paper money. So fiat inflation goes unchecked because it does not account for paper money as well.

[@Jkl62200]

'printing paper money' is just a saying! No one 'prints money'. Money is always created digitally.

[@beataplaya]

Cashless, paperless, but you have to insure you're online and your gadgets are charged or a powerbank is nearby.

[@zsarimaxim692]

Powerbank are everywhere.

[@good-morning650]

no need just have phone

[@王文卿-s9s]

if your phone is power off, you can use your face or palm to pay

[@ALBAminute]

@@王文卿-s9s Can you also pay with your butt hole

[@8saroj7]

This is going in india too

[@abelwoo]

cashless so they can collect your personal data what you eat , what you buy where you go where you hang out

[@maxgo9106]

it's very inconvenient for tourist so better choose another country to visit

[@Jkl62200]

Or just stay in your Philippines

[@nicholaswoof88]

Worrying that linking your credit card account to their mobile payment platform, the risk of identity theft, scams, malicious malware link etc.. How safe is their mobile platform.. And how China can assure the world that won't fall into identify theft and personal data protection is done??

[@dongiovanni8899]

the 'world' just needs to make sure their credit cards are accepted there🤣🤣🤣

[@sammytsang7479]

This is why you get a seperate card when going to China

[@zsarimaxim692]

Same risk of identity theft using credit card, actually higher.

[@yakyyaky1]

@@sammytsang7479why you guys go to China?

[@howweng6227]

中国无法保证，所以你最好别来中国😂

[@yashwardhantubid2581]

India🇮🇳 and China🇨🇳: 🥱🥱🥱 World 🌎: ☹️😤🤯🤯

[@lebbeus]

What you are trying too hard to seem “advanced”, you actually go backwards 😂😂😂

[@zzdfranky1616]

"trying too hard"xdddd,china use mobile payment for almost 10 years long.😅😅😅😅

[@dongiovanni8899]

your card not accepted🤣🤣🤣

[@lebbeus]

@@zzdfranky1616 took 10 years and still not accepting international cards, definition of being backwards 😂

[@zzdfranky1616]

@@lebbeus you should konw that did china not accept or foreign countries not accept

[@lebbeus]

@@zzdfranky1616 definitely China doesn’t accept, that’s why they push UnionPay instead of Visa/Mastercard because they know if they open the market, their homegrown businesses won’t thrive. Similar with internet companies. I know people who work in payment services and they have a very hard time entering the Chinese markets because of these absurd regulations against foreign companies

[@jimmylee1776]

If she is so bad. as stated by many in the comments, then you all should send a joint request to the White House to have her replaced.

[@JeanGunnhildr88]

I use mobile payment too. But is google wallet 😅

[@jimc1654]

There is a big different. Google wallet store your card information and send it to the POS. China mobile payment need the internet because it scan QR code.

[@tonydevos]

We got mobile payments in the US, it's called credit cards. And we get points in it too, used it for a plane ticket NOT to china

[@telescopicS627]

Yes, and credit cards give immediate confirmation that payment was received. Payment apps give no confirmation and you have to show your phone screen to the vendor to prove you paid.

[@625as-pj5mg]

@@telescopicS627 There will be a reminder of payment on both sides

[@Rumeel12708]

Hmmm 🤔. My nephew is going next year for spring break and I was thinking about giving him some money so he can spend! And I was curious on how to give him cash.

[@marktn9851]

He can top-up cash into his Alipay or WeChat for deductions later.

[@btlim4316]

You can give him the cash and ask him to exchange it at the airport? Or convert it to yuan and give the yuan to him. Cash is still accepted in China. In my opinion, for short term travellers, is the most painfree method.

[@rufuswims]

Jesus Christ is coming soon repent and believe the gospel turn to Jesus before it’s to late ⏰

[@jennyaw9391]

Although cashless is convenient but it is not convenient for older people. They don’t know how to go online to download the apps and some people don’t have a mobile phone. Since China doesn’t accept global credit cards, at least they should consider accepting cash for foreigners.

[@felixrivero8420]

Had difficulty understanding the English spoken by Thomas Hoon; sorry. In addition, It would be nice if an experience at a 5 star hotel in Beijing would be included. I am looking forward to my first trip to Beijing ( I love ❤ China…). The hotel bill most probably will exceed $3,000. US Dollars; which I am planning to pay with Alipay ( I love the app…). Will the amount be over the limit authorized? I will follow all the CCP Government guidelines in Beijing… Love the video; only had a little trouble understanding the English, for I am a Spanish speaking traveler.

[@hanzocloud]

It’s not English, it’s Singlish which is English with a Singaporean/Malaysian accent

[@j.c.8493]

I am Singaporean but I do not use much Singlish but use English as my first language.This is a sweeping statement as not everyone in Singapore uses Singlish. Also, Mr Hoon is not using Singlish. He is speaking English. It depends a lot on our age group, background etc on the way the accent or pronunciation is presented to non-locals. Singaporeans will understand Mr Hoon easily 😊 Greetings from the little red dot

[@gilberttello08]

Hello from Philippines

[@irritatedanglosaxon1705]

No need to bring wallet, that's so covenient

[@juancota3106]

😮

[@casualplayer2198]

Which country is ahead on this? China or India?

[@Jkl62200]

China has had cashless payment since the 2000s. Alipay and wechat pay handle far more transactions in both quantity and value. Indians will claim otherwise but that's a verifiable fact.

[@howweng6227]

印度？你用印度和中国去比较，印度人还在捡牛糞

[@neetushrivastava3832]

India is far ahead of china in transaction almost double of china,check facts dumbo​@@Jkl62200

[@jeslyny9692]

Not comfortable giving away my passport and photo away. Security to me is everything They dun wan cash then i dun buy

[@Mew77778]

Who would wanna give their id info to China

[@Onion_Knights]

sorry, Cash is still king.

[@Hindustan__Zindabad858]

In india same scene like china ، you won't believe ،but it's true ،you need to visit india for experience cashless india

[@dragonfly02490]

Cash is king everywhere. The guy had a problem paying in China because he used Visa or Mastercard which is not widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are NOT cash!

[@zhenwenlu2607]

Too many bonus words like "basically".

[@adrianchin2970]

Accept payment only using your e payment but don't accept international credit cards. Really absurd, really stupid. Not convenient for overseas tourist which majority paying using cash or credit cards. Really useless visit this country.

[@rmovies..2960]

Do you know UPI😅😅

[@theagent3]

This video posted 6 days ago? Who in their right mind want to travel to China now? Mobile payment through your bank account? Nope, stick with my credit card, just in case if their a discrepancy I can dispute it while my money stays with me, period.

[@devildevil2271]

Why need to visit China, their KTV is expensive 😂😂

[@lastChang]

Who would be in their *right mind* to travel to China 🇨🇳 after all these warnings.

[@OzIan1983]

many

[@tkh2944]

Me😊

[@nicetry3381]

who would be brainwashed by western media so hard after so many tourists' vlog on the KZbin

[@Giles20]

Me too. It such an amazing country with so many things to see.

[@dongiovanni8899]

your right-wing extremists don't have passport in their lives🤣🤣🤣

[@ArabicReja973]

"Chinese banks operate like pawn shops," stated Jack Ma.

[@dongiovanni8899]

which means it's secured with real assets unlike Western paper debt🤣🤣🤣

[@chyira8077]

@@dongiovanni8899 And what ever happened to Jack and the other wealthy Chinese? They are Secured by China too! :)

[@dongiovanni8899]

@@chyira8077 of course they're secure in public and peaceful in private, unlike in the West where they're chased around by paparazzi and mobs🤣🤣🤣

[@telescopicS627]

@@dongiovanni8899 If the West is so bad why are you banging down the door to get in? Youre welcome china boi

[@remymartin1326]

My advice is, go anywhere but China.

[@Tenomas]

Remember cbdc is ultimate government control tool

[@koyaedgar1979]

😂 now you work and getting paid with numbers.

[@PM2024-]

That’s how the CCP can monitor every move that everyone in China makes 🇨🇳 🔨

[@i_amanish]

China copy well

[@xuanyuhuo619]

Copied what?

[@i_amanish]

@@xuanyuhuo619 everything

[@xuanyuhuo619]

@@i_amanishI only know china invented QR code payment a decade ago and a cow dung country claims to be number one in digital payment btw

[@nadiavance8827]

all about control. So they can see where you have been.

[@ellycyr4924]

Jesus is coming soon

[@krislokki7355]

I will not share my personal information particularly passport information with CCP nor any Chinese companies

[@k2blitz]

Ha ha without u knowing u r already sharing yr infor with Apple, Google, social media etc.

[@Crokatec]

Cash is king, don't let the elites track you

[@ccddqaz8436]

china

[@jaydev8148]

No fckng way will link my CC with CCP pay system

[@dongiovanni8899]

then switch to American Express or Diners Club. Visa & Mastercard are linked to CCP🤣🤣🤣

[@subhagatadatta3032]

UPI in India is a much better system .

[@BpositiveDoctor]

Haha... Copying India's UPI !!!

[@junzeng9115]

沙雕，三哥是来搞笑的，中国无现金社会都十几年了

[@Ex-Indian]

Wechat and Alipay were earlier than UPI bloody Indian

[@awilliams4543]

😂

[@TanujKumarGudania]

India is way ahead of China in digital payments . India account for about 46% of world digital payment Transactions😅

[@telescopicS627]

You mean way behind

[@stanleystuart2008]

I wouldn't be using my card in China no way

[@leexingha]

no problem lol. making urself a big deal ahahahaha

[@tinkerbella7433]

Why not ?

[@leexingha]

@@tinkerbella7433 inflated ego, prejudice. he hug the most worse in the world. a pathetic existence indeed

[@padnomnidprenon9672]

​@@tinkerbella7433I don't even know where the rumour is from😂

[@dongiovanni8899]

American Express & Diners Club not available at the moment🤣🤣🤣

[@S_hindustani_]

Come to india UPI world

[@telescopicS627]

Mobile payment is so dumb. People are always slowing down the line because they don't have data, service, or money in the account. Then they have artlessly turn their phone screen around to show the clerk that they paid. Why not just use a bank card and get immediate confirmation that the money was received? dumb dumb dumb dumb DUMB!