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China is a largely cashless society. Day-to-day payments are made with Alipay or WeChat Pay by scanning QR codes. As an international student you can use both, though setup steps change from time to time.
The two main apps
- Alipay — widely accepted for payments, transport and services.
- WeChat Pay — built into WeChat, which you also use for messaging.
Both support international users to varying degrees and are updated often.
Getting set up
- Install the app and create an account with your phone number.
- Complete identity verification (passport; sometimes a bank card).
- Link a payment method — an international card (where supported) or a Chinese bank card.
- Test with a small payment.
Funding your account
- International card: convenient but may have limited acceptance and fees — check in-app.
- Chinese bank account: the smoothest long-term option once you have opened one.
- Top-ups from family: some services let relatives send you money; compare fees.
Day-to-day payments
- Scan the merchant’s QR code, or show your payment code to be scanned.
- Pay for transport (metro/bus), food delivery, shops, utilities and more.
- Keep some cash as a backup — a few places still prefer it.
Practical tips
- Set a payment password and enable security features.
- Watch for transaction limits on foreign cards.
- Keep your phone charged and your account topped up enough for daily needs.
App features and requirements change frequently. Follow the in-app instructions and ask your university’s international office if you get stuck.