{"id":99020,"date":"2024-10-20T20:55:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-20T12:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinatours.com\/?p=99020"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:25:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T09:25:43","slug":"wechat-and-wechat-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chinatours.com\/china-travel-insights\/wechat-and-wechat-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use WeChat and WeChat Pay: Everything western travelers need to know on a China tour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n\n\n

WeChat and WeChat Pay are part of everyday life in China.<\/p>\n

For those who may not be aware, WeChat is a social media giant in China. With a billion users and counting, the next logical step for this mega platform was the introduction of cashless payments via WeChat Pay.<\/p>\n

Interested to learn how this can affect you on a China tour?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve got everything you need to know right here.<\/p>\n

What is WeChat Pay?<\/h2>\n

WeChat Pay is one of China\u2019s two foremost e-payment platforms. Together these platforms are used by 90 percent of the population. Making everyday transactions super simple, WeChat Pay and\u00a0Alipay<\/a>\u00a0 have changed the way merchants sell and buyers pay for products and services in China.<\/p>\n

Now progress is a wonderful thing, but there are a few challenges around payments that many western travelers experience while visiting on a China tour.<\/p>\n

One big impact to be aware of through the proliferation of these platforms is that China moving closer to becoming truly cashless. (Incredibly, even street vendors use WeChat Pay.)<\/p>\n

This is great if you\u2019re a local in Beijing tucking into your breakfast of Qingfeng steamed dumplings, but what if you\u2019re a western traveler on a China tour. What\u2019s the best way to pay, given there\u2019s a move away from cash, and even some credit or debit cards aren\u2019t accepted?<\/p>\n

Breathe easy because WeChat Pay can help.<\/p>\n

The owners of WeChat Pay have finally realised the opportunity and now have an option for foreign travelers.<\/p>\n

In 2019 WeChat Pay announced visitors can add foreign credit cards to WeChat, allowing them to make mobile payments in China. Considering how much easier it is to buy just about anything in China using WeChat Pay, this is a big step forward.<\/p>\n

Ready to download the app? Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

#1\uff1aWeChat and WeChat Pay for foreigners<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, using WeChat and WeChat Pay is simple. But just to be sure you\u2019re across everything you need to know, we\u2019ve outlined every step right here.<\/p>\n

Download WeChat from the App Store or Google Play. Complete registration, login and open up on your phone.<\/p>\n

Click \u201cMe\u201d on the bottom menu to find \u201cPay and Services\u201d, where you can click on \u201cWallet\u201d to choose \u201cBank cards\u201d and add your card to WeChat.<\/p>\n

As of April 2024, overseas users can easily sign up a WeChat account using their local mobile number and link the international payment cards to WeChat Pay. Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB issued outside of mainland China.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

Now you\u2019re ready to buy your own dumplings in Beijing! Even make payments to the merchants of dining, shopping, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and so much more.<\/p>\n

Find more detailed information at:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.tencent.com\/en-us\/media\/weixin-pay.html<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.tencent.com\/en-us\/articles\/2201831.html<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

#2\uff1aShopping with WeChat Pay<\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re shopping in a Shanghai department store on Nanjing Street, hailing a taxi in Beijing, or buying specialty food in Chengdu, you can use WeChat Pay to make your purchase.<\/p>\n

To make things as easy as possible, WeChat Pay offers two ways to make purchases.<\/p>\n

One option is the store or vendor can scan your unique WeChat barcode. Alternatively you can scan the barcode of the merchant you are buying items or services from.<\/p>\n

Just click \u2018+\u2019 on the upper right corner on Chat page to find the options. Check out the image below to see where to navigate to in the app.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

#3\uff1aThere\u2019s more to WeChat than making payments<\/h2>\n

WeChat was originally set up as a social media platform, so it naturally offers all the functionality that allows users to connect with friends and colleagues.<\/p>\n

In China and want to connect with other travelers on your tour? Why not add a friend or two? This is super simple to do.<\/p>\n

Simply select the \u2018Chat\u2019 or \u2018Contacts\u2019 tab at the bottom of your screen, tap on the \u2018+\u2019 icon in the upper right corner, and choose \u201cAdd Contacts\u201d.<\/p>\n

You can then search for people \u2014 or businesses \u2014 by phone number or WeChat ID, then add them to your network by hitting the \u201cFollow\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

There are other easy ways to add friends, like scanning their QR codes. That\u2019s right, everyone gets their own WeChat QR code.<\/p>\n

Access your QR code by selecting the \u201cMe\u201d option and tapping the QR code icon. You can scan the code with the built-in QR reader that can also be found in the \u2018+\u2019 icon.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

#4\uff1aYou\u2019re now ready to connect with your China tour network<\/h2>\n

WeChat is a great way to connect with other people on your China tour and to stay in touch with your China tour organizer and tour guide.<\/p>\n

Ready to chat? Here\u2019s how you do it.<\/p>\n

Simply tap on the person you want to talk to in your contact list. You can do this by typing or even recording a minute long audio message. This is perfect if you want to make or confirm arrangements while you\u2019re traveling. It\u2019s easy and quick too.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019ve changed your mind, no problem. One great WeChat feature is you can even recall a sent message if you take action within the first two minutes of sending.<\/p>\n

Need translation. WeChat is multilingual too. It will translate messages if they aren\u2019t in your preferred language.<\/p>\n

Both these features can be accessed by tapping and holding a message, which will bring up a list of different options.<\/p>\n

When you tap the \u2018+\u2019 icon at the bottom right corner, a function menu will be displayed where you could find icons to take and share photos and videos, share your location, transfer money, make a voice or visual telephone.<\/p>\n

The image below shows how this works.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

#5\uff1aChatting with a group on WeChat<\/h2>\n

Want to connect with your whole tour group at once? WeChat will let you do that.<\/p>\n

Tap on the \u2018+\u2019 icon at the top right corner, then \u2018New Chat\u2019, and choose all the people who want to talk in this group. Booking a tour group dinner has never been easier!<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

#6\uff1aWeChat can do more than connect and pay<\/h2>\n

WeChat is a platform that does more than connect and pay.<\/p>\n

When you have a few spare minutes – perhaps waiting for that high speed train to Xian or your flight to Shanghai – explore WeChat\u2019s other functionality.<\/p>\n

In the Discovery menu, you can share photos and videos and articles just like you would in the \u2018Moments\u2019 function on Facebook.<\/p>\n

WeChat is also home to other functions, which can be found in the \u2018Mini Programs\u2019 menu. It\u2019s here you\u2019ll find the tools to shop, order take-away, book tickets, vehicles, delivery services – pretty much anything you can think of.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"wechat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n

WeChat and WeChat Pay are ideal for taking on a China tour<\/h2>\n

Using WeChat and WeChat Pay while traveling on a China tour can make things easier to manage and navigate. They provide a seamless way to connect and pay – and you\u2019ll feel like a local. Be sure to do your research about best ways to pay in China before departing for your China tour.<\/p>\n

ChinaTours.com<\/a>\u00a0is dedicated to helping western travelers enjoy a genuine experience of China. We constantly strive to find ways that enhance the tour and enrich the tour experience. While you travel with us, we want you to feel connected and cared for. We believe that staying in touch with your tour guide helps contribute to that level of care and provides peace of mind. WeChat is just one tool that can help. If you\u2019d like to learn more about how we design and deliver China tours, we\u2019d love to hear from you. Enquire via our contact form and we\u2019ll respond within 24 hours.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WeChat and WeChat Pay are part of everyday life in China. For those who may not be aware, WeChat is a social media giant in China. With a billion users and counting, the next logical step for this mega platform was the introduction of cashless payments via WeChat Pay. Interested to learn how this can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":99021,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[159],"class_list":["post-99020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-china-travel-insights"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to use WeChat and WeChat Pay for foreigners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Use WeChat & WeChat Pay on your China tour. Connect with tour guides, make payments on the go, book tickets & more. 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