WeChat is China's everyday messaging app, and WeChat Pay sits inside it. Many small vendors show a WeChat code, so it's the best backup to Alipay. The only tricky part is creating the WeChat account itself — after that, linking your card takes a few minutes.
Step 1 — Create your WeChat account
- Install WeChat and sign up with your own phone number.
- WeChat may ask for a security check. Sometimes this means an existing WeChat user scans a QR code to vouch for you — a friend or colleague who already uses WeChat can do it in seconds.
- Set a profile photo and name; brand-new empty accounts are more likely to get extra checks.
Step 2 — Open Wallet and add a card
- Go to Me → Services (or Pay and Services) → Wallet → Cards → Add a card.
- Enter your Visa, Mastercard or other supported international card.
- Complete identity verification with your passport when prompted.
Step 3 — Pay and get paid
- To pay: + (top right) → Scan the shop's code, or open Money / Pay to show your own code.
- Foreign-card WeChat accounts generally can't receive transfers or red packets — that's normal, it doesn't affect paying.
Step 4 — Test it
Scan the WeChat code on the test card on this page and pay ¥1. If it goes through, WeChat Pay is ready for China.