WeChat: A Complete Guide to Using WeChat & WeChat Pay in China

In China, WeChat is on almost everyone’s phone. For international travelers, it’s one of the most useful apps to set up before you leave.

WeChat is much more than a messaging app. Once you’re in China, you’ll see it everywhere in daily life. You can use it to pay for things, book rides, reserve attraction tickets, order food for delivery, scan restaurant QR codes, and communicate with hotels, tour guides, and other local contacts.

Set it up before you go to make traveling in China much easier from the beginning. Create your account, link a bank card, and get familiar with the features you’re likely to use during your trip.

Below, I’ll walk you through the setup process and the WeChat features that you should learn before your trip.

What Is WeChat?

WeChat was launched in 2011 and is owned by Tencent, one of China’s biggest tech companies. It started as a messaging app, but has since become what people in China call a “super app.”

It may just seem like WhatsApp with payments built in, but once you start using it, you’ll see it offers much more than messaging and payments. Since you can also use it to access a variety of everyday services without leaving the app, it’s kind of like WhatsApp, Apple Pay, and an app store rolled into one.

This is where WeChat’s third-party Mini Programs come in. These are lightweight apps that run inside WeChat, so you don’t need to download and install them separately.

For example, you might use a Transit-code Mini Program to ride buses and subways, open the DiDi Mini Program to book a car, scan a restaurant QR code to order food, or reserve attraction tickets through an official Mini Program. A lot of the services you’ll rely on while traveling in China are already inside WeChat within these Mini Programs.

Why Travelers Use WeChat in China

1. Messaging

WhatsApp doesn’t work reliably in mainland China, so WeChat is the messaging app people actually use. Just like locals, you’ll probably end up relying on it for all kinds of communication during your trip.

I especially recommend adding any helpful local contacts during your trip, such as your tour guide or someone at your hotel, just in case you need help. You can also add me on WeChat and I’ll be happy to help you. My WeChat ID is ifuday.

Small issues come up all the time when you travel. Maybe you can’t find an address. Maybe you’re trying to decide which tourist sites are worth prioritizing. Or maybe you need help with something on a Chinese shopping platform. For a tourist, these things can be frustrating, but for a local, they can often be sorted out easily.

Pro-tip: WeChat messages have a built-in ‘Share Location’ feature that’s very useful if you get lost, can’t find your ride, or get separated from your friends. You can send your location directly in the chat, and it’s usually the quickest way for someone to see where you are and help you out.

If you’re talking to a local, the person helping you may not speak fluent English, but WeChat provides an easy solution for this if you don’t speak Chinese. The chats also have a built-in translation feature, and both sides can translate incoming text or voice messages into a language they understand. It’s not always a perfect translation, but it’s enough for day-to-day communication or situations where you need help.

Pro-tip: You can also adjust your settings to automatically translate messages you receive.

Here are the steps to get this up:

Me → Settings → Interface and Display → Translate

Then choose your target language and turn on “Auto translate messages received in chats.”

2. Mobile Payments

Paying for things works a little differently in China than most other countries. In daily life, people rarely use cash, and many smaller shops don’t accept foreign credit cards. Even when cash is accepted, some shops may not have much change because they don’t handle much cash anymore. If you only have cash and a credit card during your trip, paying for things will be more difficult than is necessary.

Some snack shops, street food stalls, and small vendors only take WeChat Pay or Alipay. For this reason, I recommend setting up at least one mobile payment app before you travel to China.

3. Getting Around

Whether you’re taking the bus, riding the subway, unlocking a shared bike, or booking a ride, WeChat can make getting around much easier.

How to Set Up WeChat

I recommend downloading WeChat and creating your account before you leave for China. Link your bank card in advance, too. That way, once you arrive, you won’t be trying to sort all of this out at the airport, in your hotel lobby, or on the street.

Download WeChat and Create Your Account

1, Download and install WeChat from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

2, Open the app and tap Sign Up.

3, Tap “Sign up with mobile.”

You will see an option to log in with Facebook, but that only links your WeChat account to Facebook. You’ll still need to enter a phone number for verification.

Select your country or region code, enter your phone number, and create a password. Agree to the terms, then tap Accept and Continue.

Enter the SMS verification code you receive, then tap Next.

Complete the security check. This is just to confirm that you’re not a bot.

Add your profile details, such as your nickname, date of birth, and address.

Choose which WeChat services you want to enable.

For a short visit, I usually suggest keeping it simple and enabling just Channels and Mini Programs, which is enough for most travelers.

Once you’ve done that, your WeChat account is ready to use.

2. Link Your Credit or Debit Card

Tap Me in the bottom-right corner, then go to Pay and Services → Wallet.

Tap Bank Cards → Add a Bank Card.

Enter your card details, then tap Done.

After that, you should be able to use WeChat Pay for QR-code payments.

WeChat currently supports major international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover Global Network, Diners Club, and UnionPay.

I highly recommend linking WeChat Pay to a Wise card, which is a fantastic choice for travelers to avoid credit card fees and high currency conversion costs.

You can sign up here to get zero fees on a transfer up to $500: https://wise.com

If you’re only using WeChat for messaging and everyday WeChat Pay purchases, you won’t need to complete identity verification. However, if you want to use transfers or increase your payment limit, you’ll need to verify your identity. I usually recommend doing this in advance, just in case. Generally you only need to upload a photo of your passport, and approval usually comes through quickly.

What to do if your card doesn’t link successfully

Check the following:

Make sure your name, passport information, and card details all match exactly.
Try linking another card.
Contact your card issuer and ask whether it blocked the request to link your card to a Chinese digital wallet such as WeChat Pay. Some overseas issuers reject these requests because their systems don’t know how to process the request. If that happens, using a different card is usually the easiest fix.

Once your card is linked, I recommend making a small test payment first to confirm that WeChat Pay is working properly.

How to Pay with WeChat Pay

Method 1: Scan a QR Code

Open WeChat, tap the + icon in the top-right corner, and select Scan.

Scan the merchant’s payment QR code, enter the amount, and confirm the payment.

This is the method you’ll probably use most at small shops, street stalls, and in taxis.

Method 2: Show Your Payment Code

Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner and select Money, or go to Me → Services → Money. Then show your payment code so the merchant can scan it.

This is more common at supermarkets, chain stores, shopping malls, and larger restaurants.

Method 3: Pay in a Merchant App or Mini Program

If you’re paying in a merchant’s app or Mini Program, choose WeChat Pay and follow the prompts.

Popular WeChat Features for Travelers: How to Use Them

Buses, Taxis, and Shared Bikes

Like I said above, WeChat makes transportation in China easy, including taking the bus, riding the subway, or calling a ride.

Taking Buses and the Subway

Search for the “乘车码” Transit Code Mini Program in WeChat and activate it.

The Transit Code Mini Program has an English version. There’s no fee to activate it; you’re just allowing WeChat Pay to deduct fares automatically.

Taking a Bus

Open your Transit Code and hold the QR code on your screen in front of the scanner on the bus. Once it scans, the fare is deducted automatically.

Taking the Subway

Hold your Transit Code up to the scanner at the gate when you enter the station and again when you leave. WeChat Pay will work out the fare and charge you automatically.

The Transit Code Mini Program usually detects your city automatically, but I would still double check before your first ride. It also helps to spend a minute getting familiar with the screen. If anything feels unclear, ask someone working at the station—they’re used to helping travelers with this.

Even in China’s biggest cities, ride-hailing is usually quite affordable, and for travelers, it’s one of the easiest ways to get around.

Search for the “DiDi” Mini Program in WeChat. It has an English version.
Open the Mini Program and log in with your WeChat account. You’ll then be asked to add a phone number, since the driver may need to contact you. DiDi supports phone numbers from most countries and regions.
Enter your destination. You can type it in either English or Chinese, but less common places may not appear correctly in English, in which case, use the Chinese address instead.
Choose your ride type. Prices vary, but for most travelers, Economy or Standard usually makes the most sense because they’re cheaper, easier to book, and have shorter wait times.
Confirm the ride, and DiDi will match you with a nearby driver. You’ll be able to see the car’s location and estimated arrival time in real time.
When you get in, just tell the driver the last four digits of your phone number so they can confirm you’re the right passenger. Other than that, you generally won’t need to converse with the driver.
When you arrive, you can simply get out. Depending on your settings, payment will either be charged automatically or appear in the app for you to confirm.

Another Option: Use Amap for Ride-Hailing

You can also call a ride through Amap, known in China as Gaode Maps. This can be a helpful backup if you’re already using Amap for directions.

If you’re not going too far, or you want to explore the city at a slower pace, shared bikes can be a fun way to get around. You’ll see them lined up along streets in most major cities in China.

To use one, open “Scan” in WeChat and scan the QR code on the bike. This will open the bike company’s Mini Program. Follow the steps to unlock the bike, and you’re ready to go.

When you’re done, lock the bike. The ride will end automatically once the bike is locked, but keep in mind thatyou can’t park shared bikes just anywhere. You need to leave the bike in a designated parking area. In most cities, these areas are marked on the pavement or along the roadside, so look for a shared-bike parking zone before you lock up.

Food Delivery, Ordering at Restaurants, and Attraction Tickets

If you’ve been out all day and don’t feel like leaving your hotel again, you can order delivery through the Meituan Mini Program in WeChat. And food delivery apps in China aren’t just for restaurant meals. You can also order over-the-counter medicine, toiletries, and other everyday essentials.

For the full walkthrough of how to use Meituan, you can follow the steps here: https://thehiddenchina.com/how-to-use-meituan-for-food-delivery-in-china/

Translating Mini Programs into English

The Meituan Mini Program is still mostly in Chinese and does not have a full English version. But luckily WeChat Mini Programs also have a built-in translation feature.

After opening the Mini Program, tap the “…” in the top-right corner. Then tap Translation at the bottom. WeChat will translate the page into your chosen language.

The translation isn’t always perfect, but it’s usually enough to understand the main options and place an order.

At many larger restaurants and chains, especially in malls, you’ll usually see an ordering QR code on the table. Open Scan in WeChat and scan the code. It will open the restaurant’s Mini Program menu.

Menus are often in Chinese, so if you can’t read it, you can start by looking at the photos next to each dish to get a general idea of what things are. You can also use the translation steps above to translate the Mini Program into English. Once the menu is translated, following the steps to order is easy.

In China, tickets for many attractions can be reserved or purchased through WeChat, including museums, science centers, the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City.

You’ll need to find the Mini Program for the attraction you want to visit. If it doesn’t have an English version, use the translation steps above, then follow the instructions to make a reservation or buy your ticket.

However, I usually recommend buying attraction tickets on Trip.com instead. You can use Trip.com for hotels, attraction tickets, train tickets, and flights in China.

WeChat Mini Programs can be translated into English, but the translation can sometimes be off, which can be confusing when you’re choosing ticket types, picking entry times, or trying to understand reservation rules. Trip.com’s English pages are usually clearer and easier to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a very common issue. Try the following steps in order:

Make sure the phone number you entered is correct, including the country or region code.
Check your phone settings. I recommend temporarily turning off SMS spam filtering.
Link the same phone number to your WhatsApp account. In some cases, the verification code from WeChat may show up in WhatsApp.
Add a 0 before your phone number, then try requesting the text message again. A Reddit user has mentioned this workaround, but it won’t work for everyone.
Turn off Wi-Fi and use mobile data to receive the verification code. This is another Reddit tip, so it’s not a guaranteed fix.
Contact WeChat customer support. This can be slow, though, and the issue may not be fixed right away.
If you can, try registering again with a different phone number (such as a family member’s).
As a last resort, after you arrive in China, you can buy a temporary Chinese SIM card at the airport. They’re not expensive, and this can help you avoid some SMS verification problems. It may also make a few other travel tasks easier.

Refunds go back to the original payment method. So if you paid with a credit card linked to WeChat, the refund will go back to that same card through WeChat.

If you use an international bank card with WeChat Pay, fees apply depending on the specific card. Currently, WeChat waives the 3% fee for single transactions of RMB 200 or less. That makes WeChat Pay especially useful for everyday spending, such as bus and subway rides or quick purchases at convenience stores.

If you link a UnionPay card issued in mainland China, this international card fee does not apply.

Yes, WeChat is safe for travel tasks like messaging, payments, and photo sharing, and using it feels similar to using other major apps.

That said, WeChat operates under China’s regulatory environment, and data may be accessible to authorities. For that reason, I don’t recommend discussing any sensitive political topics on WeChat. For normal travel use, though, WeChat is still one of the most useful apps to have on your phone in China.

No. You can register for WeChat with a foreign phone number. WeChat supports phone numbers from most countries and regions.

Yes. WeChat supports major international cards, so you can link one directly and use it for payments.

However, keep in mind that some small vendors’ QR codes may not accept payments from international cards. If that happens, it’s best to have some cash ready.

You can also ask someone you trust, such as your tour guide, a Chinese friend, or possibly someone at your hotel front desk, to send you the same amount through WeChat and just give them your cash. The money they transfer will go into your WeChat Wallet. Then, at places that don’t accept international-card payments, you can pay directly from your WeChat balance.

Since most merchants still accept WeChat Pay with international cards, you don’t need to keep too much money in your balance. I think around RMB 500, or about USD $80, is enough for emergencies.

If you want to use WeChat’s transfer feature, you’ll need to complete the identity verification mentioned earlier.

Your WeChat account is unlikely to get blocked on a normal trip, so most travelers won’t run into this problem.

Temporary blocks usually happen if WeChat detects unusual activity, like suddenly making a large transfer, logging in from several different phones, or doing something that looks unusual for your account.

If your account does get blocked, WeChat may ask you to complete a verification process. In some cases, you may need help from another WeChat user who meets WeChat’s requirements. For example, they may need to have used WeChat for more than six months and not helped anyone else with verification recently.

This is one reason I recommend setting up both WeChat and Alipay before your trip to have a backup. That way, if one payment app has a temporary issue, you still have another way to pay.

Yes, you can still use WeChat after you leave China. WeChat works outside China, and you can still use it for things like messaging and video calls.

However, some features are designed exclusively for use in China, including many payment features and Mini Programs. So after you go home, WeChat will still be useful for staying in touch with people you met in China, but you probably won’t use the other services the same way you did during your trip.

Yes. The main WeChat app supports English and several other languages. Once you set the app language to English, the main interface will be in English.

WeChat also has a built-in message translation feature. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, you can still communicate with people who do. You can translate text or voice messages that someone sends you into your preferred language.

Yes. If you use WeChat Pay as an international visitor, there may be a limit on how much you can pay in a single transaction. For normal travel spending, this is usually not a problem. Convenience stores, restaurants, subway rides, and ride-hailing usually fall well under the limit. If you want higher WeChat Pay limits, you may need to complete the identity verification mentioned earlier.

With larger payments, such as trying to pay for several nights at a hotel through WeChat Pay, the amount may be too high and the payment could fail. If that happens, pay by credit card instead. Larger hotels and many mid-range or higher-end hotels in China usually accept international credit cards.

For hotels, I recommend booking through Trip.com and paying directly by credit card. It’s usually more reliable than trying to pay a large hotel bill with WeChat Pay after you arrive, and the booking process is easier to follow in English.

Mobile payments are important in China, because cash is used much less than in many other countries, and many smaller shops don’t accept foreign credit cards. For that reason, I recommend installing both WeChat and Alipay before your trip. Having both gives you a backup if one app doesn’t work when you need it.

If you can only install one, I’d choose WeChat, because in addition to payments you can also use it to message local contacts, contact tour guides, and stay in touch with your hotel.

Pro-tip: ask the front desk if the hotel uses WeChat and whether you can add them. Staff at many mid-range and higher-end hotels are usually happy to help with this. It can be really useful if you need directions, want to ask about laundry service, something comes up at the hotel, or you need help confirming an address or pickup point. This gives you a local contact during your trip, and that can take a lot of stress out of small problems.

WeChat: A Complete Guide to Using WeChat & WeChat Pay in China

What Is WeChat?