Surviving Cashless China: AliPay or WeChat Pay? How to prepare digital wallet before visiting China?

I went to China in May. Alipay worked great with my foreign card. I couldn't get Wechat to work, even though I set it up successfully. I hear others have had the same experience.

The limits placed on WeChat Pay and AliPay for foreigners are absolutely ridiculous. For ex., on WeChat Pay, you're limited to 200RMB per transaction ($40USD), and $5000USD for an entire year of transactions. I can spend up to my limit in 2 months in China. I have a Q2 Visa that enables me to stay in China for 180 days per entry. How the heck am I supposed to stay in China with such ridiculous limitations?

So inconvenient

Will Alipay with foreign credit card work for any place that accepts Alipay payments? Eg. Even with vendors selling vegetables on the side of the street?

This is hard for the foreigners or tourist unless they have roaming data on their phone!

挺麻烦的其实

It’s supposed to be convenient but they take 3% on each payment and block any « big » transaction (over 150€…)
This is so embarassing to have a blocked payment.. 😢
It’s really annoying for foreigners

You are wrong. India is no.1 for digital cashless transactions. Not china

3% fee for every payment

You are a lyer, both cannot be set up as you need either a chinese passport or a chinese bank account.

Alipay & WeChat Pay 🤩 Comfortable & Convenient