When it comes to modern payments in China, Alipay and WeChat Pay have long been the main ways to pay for things — for local residents and foreign users alike.
People use these apps to pay for goods, services, transport, hotels, restaurants, tuition, medical care and countless other day-to-day expenses.
For many foreign users, getting to grips with Alipay and WeChat Pay is the first step towards working or travelling comfortably in China.
Here is how these systems work and what you should know before you use them.
What Alipay is
Alipay is one of China's largest payment platforms.
The service is part of the Alibaba Group ecosystem and is used by hundreds of millions of people for everyday payments.
With Alipay you can:
- pay for purchases;
- pay for services;
- transfer money;
- pay for hotels;
- pay for transport;
- pay bills by QR code;
- settle payments with Chinese companies.
Today Alipay is considered one of the main cashless payment tools in China.
What WeChat Pay is
WeChat Pay is the payment system built into the WeChat app.
WeChat started life as a messenger, but over time it grew into a fully fledged digital ecosystem.
Through WeChat Pay, users pay for:
- goods;
- services;
- taxis;
- cafes and restaurants;
- housing rentals;
- online orders;
- various services within China.
In many cases merchants accept both Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Which one to choose
In practice, most users install both apps.
That gives you a backup payment method and means you are not dependent on what a particular merchant or service prefers.
For foreign users, Alipay is generally considered a little easier to set up, but both apps are actively expanding their support for international customers.
How to register
To create an account you will need:
- a phone number;
- a passport or another identity document;
- the official app installed.
Once you have registered, you may be asked to complete additional verification.
Platform requirements are updated from time to time, so it is best to register only through the official apps.
Can you use a foreign bank card
Both platforms work with a range of international bank cards.
The features available to you, however, may depend on:
- the country where the card was issued;
- the issuing bank;
- your account status;
- the type of transaction.
Before you start, check inside the app that the features you need are available.
How to pay by QR code
Most payments in China are made by QR code.
The process usually looks like this:
- 1The merchant displays a QR code.
- 2The user opens Alipay or WeChat Pay.
- 3The code is scanned.
- 4The payment amount is confirmed.
- 5The funds are debited from the chosen payment method.
This format has become the standard for most settlements within China.
The most common problems
The difficulties people run into most often involve the following situations:
- account verification has not been completed;
- the card is not supported by the system;
- limits have been exceeded;
- temporary security restrictions are in place;
- something went wrong during registration.
In most cases these issues are resolved once the account has been checked and the app configured correctly.
How to top up Alipay or WeChat Pay
The ways you can top up depend on your country and on the payment instruments available to you.
Before topping up, it is worth clarifying:
- whether the transaction is available to you;
- the limits;
- the fees;
- the identification requirements.
Because payment system rules are updated from time to time, the top-up methods currently on offer may change.
How EAST PAY helps with Alipay and WeChat Pay
In practice, many questions come up not during registration but once you are already using the services.
For example:
- you need to top up Alipay;
- you need to make a payment by QR code;
- you need to pay for tuition, a hotel or services in China;
- you have run into difficulties setting up your account.
EAST PAY specialists will explain the current ways to pay, top up and use Chinese payment systems, and suggest the most convenient solution for your particular task.
Conclusion
Alipay and WeChat Pay are the backbone of China's payment infrastructure today. Whether you are paying for a trip, tuition, services or goods, understanding how these systems work makes settlements within the country far simpler.
Before you start, register in advance, check that the features you need are available and make sure the payment method you have chosen suits your task.