Millions of foreigners from around the globe visit China each year for various reasons, including business and tourism. China is an intriguing and technologically advanced nation where many digital tools you’re accustomed to back home may not be accessible. Popular social apps and websites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are not available; instead, people use WeChat, a popular app for communication and making payments within the country.
Therefore, for anyone planning to travel to China, understanding how Tencent’s app works, especially the WeChat Pay feature, is crucial. This guide explores everything you need to know about WeChat Pay to make your trip more comfortable and memorable.
WeChat vs WeChat International
The distinction between WeChat and WeChat International is the most common confusion among foreigners. WeChat, known as 微信 in China, has different payment features than the international WeChat app available overseas. Essentially, it’s the same app but offers different functionalities based on your phone number.
In this article, we’ll explain the app’s features using a local phone number. This means you’ll have limitations on payment methods, so read on to learn more. You might also want to check our guide on Alipay for foreigners.
What is WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay is one of the convenient ways for foreigners to conduct financial transactions in China. It’s a mobile payment method integrated into the WeChat app, allowing users to complete payments for various scenarios using their smartphones. It’s one of the most convenient ways to pay for purchases, hail a ride, or top up call time, as well as to send or receive money from other users. All you need to do is download and install the app from your app store, create a WeChat account, and activate WeChat Pay to enjoy a suite of features tailored for different payment situations.
WeChat Pay for Foreigners
Most foreigners believe WeChat is only for users with ID cards, but the truth is the app is available to anyone with a telephone number, whether you’re in China or abroad. Here’s how to register:
