The primary apps for payments in China are WeChat Pay and Alipay, which are essential for daily life and now allow foreigners to link international credit cards for seamless QR code payments at most vendors, from street stalls to major stores, even integrating services like Didi (ride-hailing) and transport. While these are dominant, carrying some Chinese Yuan cash and checking if your international bank card works directly (especially in metros) are good backups.
Pay with Alipay or your home e-wallets in the Chinese mainland. When shopping at merchants in the Chinese mainland (except for special occasions), if you have Alipay or home e-wallets on your phone, just open it and pay directly once you see .
PayPal is a secure, easy way to pay and get paid
Chinese nationals must use Name in Chinese Characters from National ID. Pinyin is not allowed. Non-Chinese nationals must use name from Passport. Accept debit and credit card payments, and get paid quickly.
How to Pay in China as a Tourist
Popular Chinese Social Media Apps
TL;DR: No, WhatsApp is blocked in China by the Great Firewall. However, travelers can easily bypass this restriction using a travel eSIM (like Nomad eSIM) or a VPN. For most tourists, a travel eSIM is the most reliable and hassle-free solution to ensure WhatsApp works in China for messaging and calling.
Enter Didi, the country's go-to ride-hailing app, similar to Grab or Uber.
Can you use Alipay in Australia? Alipay is a functional choice of payment method in Australia, but its use is still relatively niche when compared to popular alternatives like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet.
China's "3-hour rule" for minors restricts children under 18 to playing online video games for only three hours per week, specifically from 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, to combat gaming addiction and improve health. Implemented by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) in 2021, the rule mandates gaming companies use real-name verification and facial recognition to enforce limits, though some children bypass it using adult accounts.
It really depends on what you're going to do with that $100. If you're living a western style of life with food, $100 US in the cities would be like $120 US maybe? It'll stretch out a little. But if you're eating like the locals, buying groceries and the like, this can be a small fortune.
Zelle isn't an option for international money transfers because both the sender and recipient of a Zelle payment need a US based bank account and mobile phone number.
G2 reviewers report that PayPal Payments excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to Alipay. Users appreciate its speed and security, with one stating, "I use PayPal Payments for my daily transactions because it's easy, fast, and secure."
Alipay is by far the most popular Chinese mobile payment app, used by a huge 93% of customers. ¹ Although, it's worth bearing in mind that people tend to use more than one app on a daily basis. Alipay is an eWallet app, which works similar to other mobile wallets like Apple Pay.
The "Three Ts" in China refer to the highly sensitive topics of Taiwan, Tibet, and Tiananmen Square, which are major taboos and subjects of strict censorship, with discussions often discouraged or forbidden due to their challenge to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) narrative and authority. Foreigners are often advised to avoid these topics to prevent discomfort, legal issues, or awkwardness with Chinese citizens.
At the moment, neither Alipay mainland China nor AlipayHK can receive money from GCash directly. But you may go cashless outside the Philippines, and pay with GCash + Alipay. Another option would be to send funds to Alipay via Wise. Wise can send RMB straight to Alipay, WeChat, or China Unionpay bank cards.
China has included Australia in its visa waiver program. If you hold an ordinary Australian passport, you may be able to enter China without a visa for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family and friends or transit.
China's "0.1% rule" refers to its October 2025 export controls, requiring licenses for foreign products containing ≥0.1% by value of certain Chinese-origin rare earths or made with controlled Chinese rare earth tech, extending China's jurisdiction extraterritorially to high-tech supply chains like EV magnets and AI chips, impacting global industries by giving Beijing leverage over critical materials. This "de minimis" rule creates significant compliance burdens for foreign firms, potentially halting supply of advanced tech.
A recent comparison of average sleep duration across Asian countries highlights clear differences in nightly rest. China tops the list with around 7.0–7.5 hours of sleep per night, followed closely by India at approximately 7.0–7.1 hours.
While digital payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate daily transactions in China, many international visitors still rely on cash — especially in traditional markets, taxis, small restaurants, and rural areas where foreign cards may not be accepted.
If you are an Australian tax resident and you have an account in a financial institution overseas, we will receive your information from the tax authority of that jurisdiction. All information reported under these laws is handled in the strictest confidence by the ATO and foreign tax authorities.
Q: Is there an Alipay transaction fee? A: Yes, Alipay charges a 3% fee on international card payments exceeding ¥200/day. The Alipay Tour Card also has a 5% top-up fee.
Dubbed the 'Super App of China', WeChat captivates over 1.3 billion monthly active users. It's not just about chats; it's an integral part of daily life in China.
Chinese taxi services are, overall, safe and affordable as prices are governmentally implemented. Thus, taxis in Beijing charge according to their taximeters (they are metered), based on set fares and prices.
Yes. DiDi is fully operational in China in 2025.