Short answer: Here is how to pay in China as a visitor: install Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave, register with your own mobile number, verify with your passport and link an international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover or overseas UnionPay card. Then you scan a shop's QR code or show your own code at the till. Keep some Chinese yuan (CNY, also called RMB) in cash as a backup, because since 1 February 2026 face-to-face businesses in China must accept cash. The big unknown for travellers from Nepal is the card: most ordinary Nepali debit and credit cards are issued for use in Nepal and India only, and we have not been able to confirm that any Nepal-issued card links to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Plan for that, and test before you fly.
This guide is for first-time visitors to China, families taking elderly parents to Beijing or Chengdu over Dashain and Tihar, students and business travellers, and Nepalis living abroad who are visiting China with a card issued in another country. It explains how the two payment apps work for foreigners, gives setup steps for each, sets out honestly what is confirmed, reported and unknown about Nepali cards, and ends with a troubleshooting table, a cash plan and a pre-trip checklist. Facts were checked on 27 Oct 2026 against official Chinese government pages, People's Bank of China material, Tencent, Ant Group, UnionPay International and Nepali bank websites. Payment rules in China change often, so read the app's own notices before you travel.
| Paying in China at a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ways to pay | Alipay and WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) by QR code; cash in CNY; bank cards where the card network's logo is shown |
| Can foreigners use the apps? | Yes. Both apps let overseas visitors link foreign-issued cards without a Chinese bank account |
| Chinese phone number needed? | No. You can register with your own number if it can receive SMS codes |
| Identity check | Passport verification is needed above a small spending amount; the name on your card must match your account |
| Limits for overseas visitors | Up to USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 per year, raised by Alipay and WeChat Pay in March 2024 under People's Bank of China guidance |
| Fees | The apps may charge a service fee on larger foreign-card payments; any fee is shown on the payment screen before you confirm. Your own bank may also charge |
| Cash | Legal tender everywhere. Rules in force from 1 February 2026 require businesses serving customers face to face to accept cash |
| Nepal-issued cards | Unconfirmed. Most NPR cards are valid in Nepal and India only; USD international cards and a new UnionPay RMB card are the candidates to ask your bank about |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026, Beijing and Henan government payment guides, People's Bank of China, Tencent, Ant Group, UnionPay International, Nepali bank websites |
If you are still planning the wider trip, start with our complete China travel guide, and keep our list of practical China travel tips open for visas, internet and transport. This post goes deep on one question only: how you will actually pay.
Can tourists use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?
Yes. Since 2023 both Alipay and WeChat Pay have widened support so that overseas visitors can link foreign-issued bank cards and pay at the same QR codes that Chinese residents use, from metro ticket machines and noodle stalls to hotels and museums. Options for visitors used to be much more limited, so older blog posts and videos that say "foreigners cannot use Alipay" are out of date.
The change was part of a national push to make China easier for inbound travellers. In March 2024, under guidance announced by the People's Bank of China, Alipay and WeChat Pay raised the single-transaction limit for overseas visitors from USD 1,000 to USD 5,000, and the annual limit from USD 10,000 to USD 50,000, as reported by the Shanghai municipal government. Provincial government guides, such as the Henan payment service guide for overseas visitors, repeat these figures. A March 2024 People's Daily report republished by the People's Bank of China also notes that first-time WeChat Pay users can make small payments with a linked foreign card before full verification, and that real-name verification raises the limit.
How do Alipay and WeChat Pay compare for a visitor?
You do not need both, but many travellers install both so that one can cover for the other if a card is declined. Here is how they differ in practice.
| Point | Alipay | WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A standalone payment app from Ant Group | A wallet inside the WeChat messaging app from Tencent |
| Best for | Visitors who want a payment app with travel services built in | Visitors who will also message Chinese contacts, hotels or guides on WeChat |
| Language | English interface; Alipay announced translation support in 16 languages in 2024 | English interface; Tencent says in-app payment guidance is available in 16 languages (May 2026) |
| Sign-up | Mobile number and SMS code, then passport verification | WeChat account first, then enable Pay and add a card; passport upload for verification |
| How you pay | Scan the merchant's QR code, or show your payment code | Scan the merchant's QR code, or show your payment code |
| Extras visitors use | Mini programs for ride-hailing, metro codes and bookings, as reported by travel guides | Mini programs, chat with hotels and guides, group payments with Chinese friends |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026, Shanghai and Beijing government guides, Tencent newsroom, Ant Group releases | |
Our view: if you install only one, Alipay is usually simpler for a short holiday because it does not depend on a messaging account. If you are travelling with a guide or meeting Chinese business contacts, WeChat is worth having anyway, and adding Pay to it costs nothing extra in effort. Our round-up of the best travel apps for international trips covers the map, translation and rail apps to pair with them.
Which cards do the apps accept?
Both apps publish the card networks they accept, and the list has grown over time. The table below combines official announcements; the network on your card matters less than whether your bank allows international online payments on it, which is covered later.
| Card network | Alipay | WeChat Pay | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Yes | Yes | Beijing government guide (July 2023); Tencent statement (July 2023) |
| Mastercard | Yes | Yes | Beijing government guide (July 2023); Tencent statement (July 2023) |
| JCB | Yes | Yes | Alipay release (August 2023); Tencent statement (July 2023) |
| Diners Club | Yes | Yes | Beijing government guide (July 2023) |
| Discover | Yes | Yes, via Discover Global Network | Beijing government guide; Tencent statement (July 2023) |
| American Express | Yes, cards issued by American Express itself | Not confirmed in the Tencent statements we found | American Express and Alipay release (February 2025) |
| UnionPay issued outside mainland China | Yes | Yes | UnionPay International release (November 2024) |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Beijing government: overseas bank cards accepted by Weixin Pay and Alipay; Alipay international version release; American Express and Alipay; UnionPay International release | ||
In its February 2025 release, Alipay said international visitors can use "seven card brands from major global card networks" through the app. It did not list them in that release, so treat the table as our reading of the separate announcements rather than a single official list.
How do you set up Alipay as a visitor?
Download the international version of Alipay, register with your own mobile number, verify your identity with your passport, then add your card under Bank Cards. It can take longer than you expect if your bank needs to approve the first international online payment. Do it at home in Nepal, not at the airport in China.
Menu names change between app versions, so follow the on-screen prompts if a label below looks different. These steps follow the published guides from the Shanghai municipal government and the American Express and Alipay release.
- Download the app from the official store. Install Alipay from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Check that the developer is Alipay (Ant Group) and avoid lookalike apps. Installed outside China, the app usually opens in English.
- Register with your mobile number. Choose your country code (+977 for a Nepali number), enter your number and tap Next. You will receive an SMS code. Keep this SIM active, because the number becomes your login and future security codes go to it.
- Set a login password and a separate payment password. Write neither down on your phone. Older parents often forget the payment password, so agree a plan within the family before you travel.
- Complete identity verification. In Account, find the identity or real-name verification section, upload a clear photo of your passport data page and complete the face check the app asks for. Use the passport you will travel on.
- Add your card. On the home screen or in Account, open Bank Cards and choose to add a card. Type the details or scan the card. The name you enter must match the name on the card and on your verified account.
- Approve the card with your bank. Many banks send a one-time password (OTP) or an app approval for the first online international transaction. If nothing arrives, your card may not have international online use switched on.
- Look for the payment code. Find the Pay or Pay/Collect button on the home screen. This shows the barcode and QR code a cashier scans. Find the Scan button too; you use it to scan a merchant's code.
- Test before you travel, if you can. Some travellers test with a small purchase at a business abroad that accepts Alipay. If you cannot test from Nepal, at least confirm the card shows as added and verified in the app.
Tip for families: If you are travelling with parents who are not comfortable with apps, set up one well-tested account for the person who will pay for the group, and give the others a small amount of cash in CNY for emergencies. Each person who wants their own account needs their own phone number, passport verification and card.
What does Alipay ask for during verification?
Alipay asks for your passport details and a face check once your spending passes a small threshold, and verification is what unlocks the higher visitor limits. The Henan provincial guide says no identity information is needed for transactions under a certain amount, without stating that amount, so it is simplest to verify straight away rather than be stopped mid-trip. Travel guides report the face check sometimes fails in poor light; sit facing a window and remove glasses if it struggles.
How do you set up WeChat Pay?
Open a WeChat account with your mobile number, enable the Wallet (shown as Pay or Services in some versions), add your international card and verify with your passport when asked. The card step is similar to Alipay; the extra step is creating the WeChat messaging account first.
- Download WeChat and sign up. Install WeChat from the official store and register with your mobile number (+977 for Nepal) and SMS code. Travel guides report that new accounts are sometimes asked for an extra check, such as approval from an existing WeChat user. If that happens, follow the prompts; a friend or relative in China or abroad who already uses WeChat can usually help.
- Open the Wallet. According to the Shanghai government guide, go to Me, then Services (or Pay), then Wallet. If you cannot find it, try Me, Settings, General, Tools, WeChat Pay.
- Add a card. In Wallet, tap Add a Card and follow the prompts. Enter the card number, expiry date, security code and the name exactly as printed on the card.
- Verify your identity. When asked, upload your passport. Tencent says identity documents accepted include passports, the Mainland Travel Permit and the Mainland Residence Permit.
- Approve with your bank. Complete any OTP or bank app approval. A declined first attempt usually means the bank blocked an international online payment, not that WeChat rejected you.
- Learn the two ways to pay. Tap the plus sign and Scan to scan a merchant's code, or open Money or Pay to show your own payment code to the cashier.
On fees, Tencent announced on 27 May 2026 that first-time users who link an international bank card get a limited-period waiver on international card processing fees, with a daily spending cap. The terms are on Tencent's 2026 inbound payment announcement. We have not quoted rates here because they change; the app shows any fee on the payment page before you confirm.
Do you need both apps?
One working app is enough for most holidays. Two working apps give you a backup if one card is declined or a merchant code accepts only one wallet. The real backup, though, is cash and a second card, which the next sections cover.
Will a Nepali card link to Alipay or WeChat?
We cannot confirm that it will. On 27 Oct 2026 we found no official statement from Alipay, Tencent or any Nepali bank saying that a Nepal-issued Visa or Mastercard links to either app, and we have not been able to run our own test. What we can say with confidence is which Nepali cards are unlikely to work, and which ones are worth asking your bank about.
Nepali card compatibility box. Checked: 27 Oct 2026.
Confirmed: Alipay and WeChat Pay accept the card networks Nepali banks use (Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay) when the card is issued outside mainland China and allowed for international online payments. Some ordinary NPR cards from Nepali banks are restricted to Nepal and India (and in some cases Bhutan), and at least one bank states its NPR Visa debit card cannot be used to pay online.
Reported: Himalayan Bank announced Nepal's first UnionPay RMB card in May 2026, for use in China at ATMs, card machines, QR payment points and online. One news report names Alipay+ and WeChat Pay among the platforms; the Kantipur report we read did not. USD international credit cards from Nepali banks are marketed for use outside Nepal, India and Bhutan, including international online shopping.
Unknown: Whether a specific Nepal-issued card will pass Alipay's or WeChat Pay's card check. This depends on the issuing bank's settings, the card type and the apps' risk checks, and we have not tested it. Ask your bank directly, in writing if possible, and test before you fly.
Which Nepali cards are candidates?
Nepali banks issue several kinds of card, and they behave very differently abroad. The table sorts them by how likely they are to work in China, based on the banks' own published terms.
| Card type (from a Nepali bank) | Where it is valid | Likely to link to Alipay or WeChat Pay? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary NPR Visa or Mastercard debit card | Usually Nepal and India only. Himalayan Bank, for example, says its Visa cards "are accepted in all ATM and POS terminals in Nepal and India" and answers "Not at present" to paying online | Unlikely | Confirmed for the bank pages we checked; check your own bank |
| Domestic NPR credit card | Nepal, India and in some cases Bhutan. Global IME Bank's domestic Visa credit card is described as for use "within Nepal, India, and Bhutan" | Unlikely | Confirmed for the bank page we checked |
| USD international credit or debit card (often linked to a foreign currency account or your travel quota) | Outside Nepal, India and Bhutan; Global IME Bank's USD card page says it can be used for international e-commerce | Possible; this is the card to ask about first | Unknown; not tested with Alipay or WeChat Pay |
| UnionPay RMB card (Himalayan Bank, launched May 2026) | China: ATMs, card machines, QR payments and online, according to launch reports | Possible; the card was designed for China | Reported; ask the bank how it works with each app |
| Prepaid USD card for online payments | Online payments abroad; under the 2021 Nepal Rastra Bank circular it could not be used at card machines or ATMs | Unclear | Unknown; rules on these cards may have changed since 2021 |
| Card issued abroad (for diaspora Nepalis and NRNs) | Depends on the issuing bank | Usually yes, if it is a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, Amex or overseas UnionPay card with online payments enabled | Confirmed in principle by the apps' card network lists |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026. Sources: Himalayan Bank Visa debit; Global IME Bank domestic Visa credit card; Global IME Bank international USD credit card; ShareSansar report on the UnionPay RMB card; Kantipur report (Nepali) | ||
Bank names above are examples from public pages, not a recommendation; other Nepali banks issue similar cards with their own terms. Card terms in Nepal are also tied to Nepal Rastra Bank's foreign exchange rules for travel, which we explain in our guide to the foreign currency limit when travelling from Nepal.
What should you ask your Nepali bank?
Ask these questions at the branch or card centre, ideally a few weeks before departure so there is time to get a different card if needed.
- Is this card valid for use in China, at card machines, ATMs and online?
- Is international online (e-commerce) payment switched on, and is 3D Secure or OTP set up for international transactions?
- Has the bank seen customers link this card to Alipay or WeChat Pay? If not, can the card centre tell me whether the card will be declined?
- Which mobile number receives OTPs, and will those SMS messages reach me while roaming in China?
- How is the card loaded or limited under my travel foreign exchange entitlement, and what documents does that need?
- Who do I call from China if a payment is blocked, and is that line reachable from abroad?
A note that often confuses people: in 2019 Nepal Rastra Bank stopped the unlicensed use of Alipay and WeChat Pay for payments inside Nepal, according to The Himalayan Times. That action was about money moving outside Nepal's banking system in Nepal. It is separate from paying in China with a card your Nepali bank has approved for use abroad. If you have doubts about any arrangement, ask your bank and follow its terms.
Can you use eSewa, Khalti or a Nepali bank app in China?
We found no announcement that eSewa, Khalti or any Nepali bank app can pay at Chinese QR codes. Cross-border QR links announced so far between Nepal and the Alipay+ network work the other way: they let visitors to Nepal, including Chinese tourists, pay at NEPALPAY QR merchants in Nepal, as described by Nepal Clearing House. UnionPay's January 2026 announcement of 25 international wallets that work with Weixin Pay QR codes did not name Nepal in its text. Checked: 27 Oct 2026.
What should you do if payment fails?
Stay calm, try a different method, and fix the cause later on Wi-Fi. Most failures fall into a few patterns: the bank blocked an international online payment, the name does not match, verification is incomplete, the QR code is a personal code that does not accept foreign cards, or the phone has no data. The table below lists what to try.
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Card will not add, or "card not supported" | Card is domestic only (Nepal and India), or international online use is off | Call your bank to enable international e-commerce; try a USD international card or a card issued abroad |
| No OTP or bank approval arrives | Roaming SMS off, wrong number on bank records, or bank app not set up | Turn on roaming for SMS before leaving Nepal; update your number with the bank; approve in the bank app if it has one |
| "Name does not match" | Name on the card differs from the name on the verified passport account | Enter the name exactly as printed on the card; use a card in your own name |
| Payment declined after working before | Bank fraud check on a new country, or a spending limit reached | Tell your bank your travel dates; check your card and travel quota limits; try the other app |
| Payment blocked until you verify | Spending passed the unverified threshold | Complete passport and face verification in the app on Wi-Fi |
| Code scans but foreign card is refused | Some small sellers display personal collection codes that do not accept foreign cards, as reported in travel guides | Ask the seller to scan your payment code instead, try the other app, or pay cash |
| App will not open or load | No mobile data or weak signal | Use hotel Wi-Fi or a working data plan; keep cash for when you are offline |
| Face check fails | Poor light, glasses, or camera permission off | Retry in good light, allow camera access, remove glasses |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026, Shanghai government guide, Henan government guide, People's Bank of China report; personal-code issue as reported by independent travel guides | |
Who can help you in China?
Tencent says it has set up service desks at airports, ports of entry, hotels and commercial districts, plus round-the-clock multilingual online support, as part of its 2026 inbound payment programme. Hotel front desks in larger cities are also used to helping foreign guests. For card blocks, only your own bank can help, so save its international helpline number before you leave Kathmandu. Our post on whether China is safe to travel covers what else to keep handy.
Where can you pay in China with cash or a card?
Cash in Chinese yuan is legal tender everywhere in mainland China, and rules in force since 1 February 2026 require businesses that serve customers face to face to accept it. Foreign bank cards are accepted where the card network's logo is displayed, mainly larger hotels, international chains, department stores and some restaurants. Small shops and street stalls rely on QR codes, so carry some cash as your safety net.
The rules, called the Regulations on RMB Cash Payment, Receipt and Services, were announced on 19 December 2025 by the People's Bank of China with the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, as reported by Xinhua (in Chinese). Businesses that take payment in person or serve customers face to face must accept cash and keep a reasonable supply of change, according to the rule text quoted by The Paper (in Chinese) and reported in English by TVB News. Unmanned and self-service outlets must clearly display how a cash payment can be handled and give a service phone number. The only general exception is where a law or regulation requires a non-cash payment. In practice, a vendor may still be short of change for a large note, so small notes are easier.
| Place | Alipay or WeChat Pay | Cash (CNY) | Foreign card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food, markets, small shops | Almost always | Must be accepted under the 2026 rules; bring small notes | Rarely |
| Metro and city buses | Widely, by QR code at gates or machines | Usually at ticket machines or counters | Varies by city |
| Metered taxis | Usually | Should be accepted as a face-to-face service; drivers may lack change | Rarely |
| Ride-hailing (booked in an app) | Yes, paid in the app | Not usually | Through the app only |
| Larger hotels | Usually | Yes | Commonly, where the logo is shown |
| Major attractions and museums | Yes, often with online booking | At ticket counters | Sometimes |
| High-speed rail tickets | Yes, in the official rail app or at stations | At station counters | Varies |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026, Henan government guide, People's Bank of China report, Xinhua, The Paper and TVB News on the 2026 cash rules; local practice varies by city | ||
For booking trains, our China high-speed rail guide explains how tickets are tied to your passport. For a sense of everyday spending, see how expensive China is for travellers.
How do you get Chinese yuan?
You can withdraw yuan from ATMs in China that show your card network's logo, and exchange foreign currency at bank branches, authorised exchange counters and some self-service kiosks. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange requires ports and hotels serving international guests to offer at least one currency exchange channel, according to the People's Bank of China report. A common approach is to carry US dollars within your Nepal travel allowance and change some on arrival. Ask your Nepali bank whether it can supply yuan before you travel; not every branch can.
A few practical habits help:
- Keep your passport with you when exchanging money; banks ask for it.
- Exchange at banks or authorised counters, not on the street.
- Split cash between two places, such as a money belt and a day bag.
- Keep receipts from exchanges in case you need to change yuan back before leaving.
- Check how much foreign currency you can carry out of Nepal and declare at Kathmandu airport before you pack it.
How much cash should you carry?
There is no single right amount; it depends on your trip length, how sure you are that your card works in the apps, and whether meals and transport are prepaid. If your card is unconfirmed, plan to rely on cash more heavily and budget it within your Nepal Rastra Bank travel allowance. If your hotels, transfers and some meals are arranged in advance as part of a package, you need less cash on the ground. Our China trip cost guide for travellers from Nepal helps you work out daily spending.
What should you set up before leaving Nepal?
Do everything that needs an SMS code, a bank approval or a passport photo while you are still at home with a reliable connection and your bank a phone call away. Arriving in China with a verified app, a card your bank has approved for international online use and a cash reserve is what makes the first day easy.
Check the current entry rules for your passport in our China visa guidance before you book. Then work through this list.
| When | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Visit your bank: confirm which card works in China and online abroad, or apply for a USD international card or a China-focused card | New cards and travel quota paperwork take time |
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Ask the bank to enable international e-commerce and 3D Secure; update your mobile number for OTPs | Most failed card links come from blocked online payments |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Install Alipay and, if useful, WeChat; register, verify your passport and add your card | Verification and card approval can take time |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Confirm the card shows as added and verified; set payment passwords; note your bank's international helpline | Problems are easier to fix from Nepal |
| 1 week before | Arrange your mobile plan: roaming for SMS so OTPs reach you, and data access in China | No data means no app payments; no SMS means no OTPs |
| Before you fly | Buy or plan to buy some CNY; keep USD within your allowance; tell your bank your travel dates | Cash is your backup if the apps fail |
| On arrival | Make a small first payment, such as a bottle of water, to confirm everything works | Better to find a problem at the airport than at a taxi rank at night |
| Checked | 27 Oct 2026, based on the app guides and bank pages cited in this post | |
For the full packing and paperwork list, use our general pre-trip checklist. For internet access, our China tips post compares roaming and eSIM options; this guide does not cover ways around China's internet restrictions.
What about travel insurance and lost phones?
Your phone becomes your wallet in China, so losing it is a bigger problem than at home. Set a screen lock, keep the payment password separate from the login password, and note how to freeze your card through your Nepali bank. Keep a paper copy of your passport and bank helpline in your bag. Check whether your policy covers stolen phones and cash; our guide to travel insurance from Nepal explains what to look for.
Notes for families, seniors and group travellers from Nepal
Families travelling during Dashain and Tihar often have one person who handles money for everyone. That works well with one verified app and one reliable card, plus cash spread across two or three adults. Elderly parents may find QR payments stressful; a small envelope of yuan notes for each parent covers tea, water and small purchases. If you are choosing between destinations for a first family trip abroad, our list of the best travel destinations for Nepalese travellers compares China with places where Nepali cards are easier to use.
If you would rather travel with hotels, transfers, rail tickets and entry bookings arranged in advance, so that day-to-day payments are only for meals and shopping, our China tour packages show how a complete trip is put together. Whichever way you travel, the steps in this guide still apply to what you pay for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners use Alipay in China?
Yes. Foreign visitors can download Alipay, register with their own mobile number, verify with a passport and link an international card such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, American Express or an overseas UnionPay card. You then pay in China by scanning a merchant's QR code or showing your payment code. Set it up before you travel.
How do I link my card to Alipay?
In Alipay, open Bank Cards from the home screen or Account, choose to add a card, and enter or scan the card details. The name must match the card and your verified passport account. Your bank may send an OTP or app approval to confirm. If the card is refused, ask your bank to enable international online payments.
Does WeChat Pay accept foreign cards?
Yes. WeChat Pay accepts foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Discover Global Network cards, including Diners Club, and UnionPay cards issued outside mainland China. Open Wallet in WeChat, tap Add a Card and verify with your passport when asked. Tencent announced a limited-period fee waiver for first-time card linkers in May 2026.
Will my Nepali Visa card work in Alipay?
It is not confirmed. Many ordinary Nepali NPR Visa debit and credit cards are valid only in Nepal and India, and some cannot pay online, so they are unlikely to link. A USD international card or Himalayan Bank's UnionPay RMB card are the options to ask about. We have not tested them; ask your bank and test before travelling.
Is there a spending limit for tourists on Alipay?
Yes. Since March 2024, following People's Bank of China guidance, Alipay and WeChat Pay have allowed overseas visitors up to USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 per year. Lower limits apply until you complete passport verification. Your Nepali bank card and travel quota may set tighter limits of their own. Checked: 27 Oct 2026.
What if Alipay rejects my card?
First call your bank: most rejections in China happen because international online payments are switched off or a fraud check blocked the first attempt. Check that the name matches your passport account and that verification is complete. Then try WeChat Pay, a different card, or pay in cash, which face-to-face businesses in China must accept.
Can I use Alipay without a Chinese phone number?
Yes. Alipay and WeChat Pay let visitors register with a foreign mobile number, including a Nepali +977 number, as long as it can receive SMS codes. Keep roaming switched on for SMS while in China, because security codes and some bank OTPs are sent to that number. You do not need a Chinese bank account.
Do taxis in China accept cash?
Metered taxis in China should accept cash, because rules in force since 1 February 2026 require businesses serving customers face to face to accept yuan. Drivers may lack change for large notes, so carry small ones. Ride-hailing cars booked through an app are normally paid inside the app rather than in cash.
Should I set up apps before travelling to China?
Yes. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay in Nepal, where you have reliable internet, your SIM for SMS codes and your bank within reach to approve the card. Verification and card approval can take time, and fixing a declined card is much harder at a Chinese metro gate. Make a small test payment on arrival.
Can I pay in China with eSewa or Khalti?
Not as far as we can find. On 27 Oct 2026 we found no announcement that eSewa, Khalti or a Nepali bank app can pay at Chinese QR codes. Current cross-border QR links work the other way, letting visitors to Nepal pay at NEPALPAY QR merchants. For China, use Alipay or WeChat Pay with a suitable card, plus cash.
China ma Alipay kasari chalaune?
Nepal mai Alipay app download garnus, aafno +977 mobile number le register garnus, passport ra face verification garnus, ani international card thapnus. China ma pasal ko QR scan garnus wa aafno payment code dekhaunus. Nepali card chalchha ki chhaina bank sanga pahile sodhnus, ra kehi yuan cash pani bokhnus. (English: Set up Alipay in Nepal with your number, passport and an international card, then scan or show a QR code in China; check your card with your bank and carry some cash.)
