Jun 7, 2023, 10:09 am
Last edit by: gudugan
China has largely moved to a cashless system with two widely accepted payment apps, AliPay and WeChat Pay. Both require extensive identity verification. Assuming you do not live in China (i.e. you are visiting for tourism/short term business, do NOT have a residence permit):
If you are coming for multiple visits:
Go to a China Mobile or China Unicom store and get a cell phone number (estimated time 2.5 hours). Ideally go to the largest branch with most representatives as they will have the best chance of figuring it out. All you need is your passport and cash to pay the initial deposit (I brought Y200). Tourist visa is fine. You want to open this in the area that you will spend the most time in, as they may give you data locked to your province. I am paying Y40 for 12GB data (you need to keep the plan active in some form, even when you are outside of China). More details in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35217727-post24.html
If you are coming for a one time visit (maximum 10,000 CNY in 180 day period). This method is not currently recommended as the fees are higher than the above method and ID verification is still required.
Currently it is not recommended to open a bank account.
If you are coming for multiple visits:
- July 2023 update: A phone number does not seem to be required any more.
- [Optional but recommended] Open a new AliPay account (even if you have an existing one) because your old one could be in a weird state.
- Verify your passport with AliPay. If you have one, use your Chinese (+86) phone number over a foreign phone number. Many apps act differently if you use foreign phone numbers.
- Your account should be fully active and you can have a friend top up your balance on AliPay and pay with the balance.
- Add a Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club or Discover card to your account. For small purchases you can pay with your foreign credit card with no fee. A purchase of Y271 triggered a 3% fee.
Go to a China Mobile or China Unicom store and get a cell phone number (estimated time 2.5 hours). Ideally go to the largest branch with most representatives as they will have the best chance of figuring it out. All you need is your passport and cash to pay the initial deposit (I brought Y200). Tourist visa is fine. You want to open this in the area that you will spend the most time in, as they may give you data locked to your province. I am paying Y40 for 12GB data (you need to keep the plan active in some form, even when you are outside of China). More details in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35217727-post24.html
If you are coming for a one time visit (maximum 10,000 CNY in 180 day period). This method is not currently recommended as the fees are higher than the above method and ID verification is still required.
- Download AliPay from the App Store
- In the search box at the top, type "TourCard"
- Verify your information and load money onto it. You will be charged a 5% fee for adding money. If the money is not used fully after 180 days, it will be refunded to your card. The current limit is 10,000 CNY. If you want to top up more than that, you can cancel the card after it expires and reopen a new card. The remaining amount of chargeable balance (max 10,000 CNY) will not be reset if you apply for a refund. My understanding is that since this is linked to your passport, if you need more than 10,000 CNY, you have to use another solution. Restrictions: You cannot transfer money to another account. Does not support wealth management, red envelope, etc.
Currently it is not recommended to open a bank account.
Opinion: without Alipay and Wechat Pay, you are screwed in Shanghai
Aug 8, 2019, 9:50 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,311
Apple Pay definitely works if it's bound to a local Union Pay card. I have no idea whether it would work if it's bound to a foreign issued non-Union Pay card.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:07 am
#137
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Programs: Hilton Gold, Priority Club Blue, SPG Gold, Sofitel Gold, FB Ivory, BA Blue
Posts: 8,477
For his next trick, this British citizen/resident is going to attempt to get a China Unionpay card, which may or may not help with the other services. It is possible. UK only, at the moment, I think, but a local clearing company, Moorwand Payments has partnered with China Union Pay to issue cards in the U.K.
https://www.emergingpayments.org/art...omers-in-uk-2/
The product is called UPay:
https://upaycard.com/
Their site is interesting for what it doesn’t mention. The China angle is none existent. The card works with any terminal that takes UnionPay (it turns out rather a lot actually do, here in Little Britain). Of course, being a bona fide UnionPay is one thing. Whether or not it will work in China is another matter. If it does, then it’s a good option for visitors who are unable to open a bank account, access mobile payments and so on. Since it’s effectively free, I’ve nothing to lose by trying.
https://www.emergingpayments.org/art...omers-in-uk-2/
The product is called UPay:
https://upaycard.com/
Their site is interesting for what it doesn’t mention. The China angle is none existent. The card works with any terminal that takes UnionPay (it turns out rather a lot actually do, here in Little Britain). Of course, being a bona fide UnionPay is one thing. Whether or not it will work in China is another matter. If it does, then it’s a good option for visitors who are unable to open a bank account, access mobile payments and so on. Since it’s effectively free, I’ve nothing to lose by trying.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:53 am
#138
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,096
I've used a non-Mainland UnionPay card in Mainland machines.
However, you cannot set up UnionPay QR code payments with a non-Mainland card, some HK cards maybe excepted. If your phone has NFC I don't think you can get that working, either.
(Indeed, to date it doesn't seem possible to open the NFC function on a Mainland UnionPay card if the account was opened with a passport. Those with different experience please post.)
However, you cannot set up UnionPay QR code payments with a non-Mainland card, some HK cards maybe excepted. If your phone has NFC I don't think you can get that working, either.
(Indeed, to date it doesn't seem possible to open the NFC function on a Mainland UnionPay card if the account was opened with a passport. Those with different experience please post.)
Aug 12, 2019, 7:58 am
#142
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Aug 12, 2019, 8:41 am
#143
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: KF, MPC, BAEC // Bonvoy, WoH, Honors
Posts: 1,462
In most places in China cash works absolutely fine in 90% of cases. In places like Shenzhen things are changing very quickly though.
Aug 12, 2019, 8:11 pm
#145
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: KF, MPC, BAEC // Bonvoy, WoH, Honors
Posts: 1,462
Typically at smaller establishments such as small shops, eateries or street vendors it is increasingly common not to accept cash. The main reason being (perceived -- Shenzhen is in fact a very safe city by any standards) unsafety/risk of theft.
Handling of cash is actually a big cost to many small businesses, given they need to do daily deposits at the bank etc. For these guys, Alipay/Wechat is the perfect solution.
Handling of cash is actually a big cost to many small businesses, given they need to do daily deposits at the bank etc. For these guys, Alipay/Wechat is the perfect solution.
Aug 12, 2019, 8:25 pm
#146
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Are you referring to Luo Hu, Futian, and Nanshan? I tend to hang out in Luo Hu and Bao’an, and find that cash is still fine outside the three core districts.
Aug 12, 2019, 8:39 pm
#147
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
Counterfeit bank notes also seem to be a bigger problem in Guangdong than many other places.
Aug 12, 2019, 11:05 pm
#148
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 456
Wechat Pay required a local bank card and telephone number but ALSO stopped working after a while until you "verify your identity" with a passport scan and selfie. I haven't gotten around to setting up AliPay so I can't give insight into that.
Aug 13, 2019, 1:45 am
#149
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 95
For me the payment situation is one of the reason I am hoping my first visit to Shanghai last week will also be my last. As a visting foreigner it's basically cash, which small business owners seem to accept reluctantly, or sticking with the big expensive international places.
Aug 13, 2019, 2:17 am
#150
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
For me the payment situation is one of the reason I am hoping my first visit to Shanghai last week will also be my last. As a visting foreigner it's basically cash, which small business owners seem to accept reluctantly, or sticking with the big expensive international places.