Paying for miscellaneous items while in China

[Doug 周]

I hear that, while visiting China, using cash and/or credit cards is rather difficult, especially if you want to use small vendors and do commerce with locals. China is an advanced cashless society. The two main payment Apps used in China are WeChat and Alipay or Ant. Using these Apps to pay for items in China required a Chinese mobile number and a Chinese bank account. Western Ant and WeChat used to not qualify.

There is a group of Forum members who are returning from China from their November visits (conventional western wisdom is that Fall is usually consider the best time to visit China).

Has anyone on this Forum used the western version of WeChat or Ant to purchase items while in China? If so, can you please share your experience?

There has been recent articles about western WeChat and Alipay Apps providing the means to pay locals for tourists. Below is one such article describing a how-to:

www.saporedicina.com/english/cellphone-payment-china/

[douglaslam]

DJ, paying by cash is OK everywhere. There are reminders posted prominently that RMB must never be refused for payment That's the official line, and no one dares to step out of line in China.

I didn't try to make payments by WeChat because I could not open a bank account in China. Remember our friend from Peru Carlos, aka kaluosima, who now lives and works in China? He cannot use the Chinese version of Uber because he can't make payment via WeChat. Carlos is holding a job and has an ID card of sort. It's frustrating for him trying to get home to his workplace residence which is at an inconvenient location.

[Doug 周]

DL,
My traveling style is to blend in and not be an ugly American. This is easier for me by not speaking, by dressing like a local (eg no cargo shorts), and by using their local favorite payment methods. This is why, with the sophistication of the Chinese cashless society, using their system is important to me.
As of this timestamp, WeChat pay does not work for foreign tourists in China. I am surprised that Carlo kaluosima does not have a Chinese bank account, a Chinese mobile number, and a ‘Real Name Authentication’ or RNA for Chinese ID. These items are said to make it easier to authorize cashless payments.
AliPay international App has a system where foreign tourists can prepay 100-1000 RMB’s to the Bank of Shanghai prepaid card from their foreign credit card and allegedly use that with local merchants. You must scan your passport and enter your foreign credit card credentials. It works for 90 days and then the unused balance will be refunded back to your credit card. The precaution is not to have a balance over 5000 RMB’s
All this is easily done within the App and I was able to transfer 100 RMB as a test. WeChat has not yet done their homework despite the current news articles.

Among the many articles I have studied, this is an accurate and recent treatise: sightdoing.net/wechat-wallet-foreigners/ . This last comment by the author summarizes it:

BECKY NOVEMBER 8, 2019 AT 4:28 PM
David, It is unfortunately well documented that Wechat has removed this feature but Alipay is allowing travelers to use their mobile payment. I suggest you try using them instead.

[douglaslam]

DJ, I need to correct my errors. Carlos does have an ID card and a bank account in China, I think it has limitations. Carlos can't, for example, use his WeChat for payments, thus book a ride share car i.e. China's version of Uber. It can be frustrating because so many taxis are put out of business.

[Doug 周]

DL,

I need to correct my errors.

No apologies needed. The purpose of this forum is to share first-hand experiences . Carlos’ experiences correlates with what is in this reddit Is WeChat Pay usable for non-chinese residents (e.g. Going to travel around in China)?
Someone shared this recent blog: WeChat Pay Guide for Foreigners dated 26NOV2019
I’m sure there is something on Carlos’ Resident ID card (居民身份证) that causes restrictions. Regarding AliPay and future Tencent WeChat Pay, the old Commonwealth saying ‘the proof is in the pudding’ applies.
I would love to see more forum posts on first hand experiences using these payment systems by foreign tourists. Most of the Chinese-western family historians who have visited China have returned before the Xmas/New Year holiday gridlock. Hopefully someone will write more experiences.

[tyuti1668]

Chinese media said this:
australia51.com/mp/FDB453CB-4AF3-8A7A-9710-ED8D7C6879ED/
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Japanese tourist can't pay the taxi fee cuz it's a personal a/c

[graham]

More updated news - Alipay and WeChat will both support foreign credit cards to link to their accounts.

www.cnbc.com/2019/11/06/alipay-wechat-pay-allow-tourists-in-china-to-use-foreign-cards.html

Each time I go to China I need to re-validate my identity when I used Wechat payment. Which is annoying as it happens when you try to buy something. So, make sure you go with someone else who can pay while you re-validate. Maybe it's because I get a new sim card each year. dunno.