Getting a bank account is a critical path step. While it's true that other people can juice your Wechat/Alipay accounts, it's obviously much better to control your own destiny.
Last fall, an FTer on an M visa reached out to me for banking advice, and struck out everywhere (i.e. all of the banks wanted RPs). I use ICBC myself because they have a strong presence in Shanghai, but CMB and Huaxia are much friendlier banks. I believe we have a dedicated thread on banks. If not, I will create one.