Heading to China? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay.
Until recently, China didn’t accept foreign debit or credit cards, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Add in the fact that China is now largely cashless, paying as a tourist could feel… complicated. But that’s changed.
Since July 2023, foreign visitors can link international cards to WeChat Pay — making everyday payments in China accessible for travellers. In this complete WeChat Pay for Foreigners guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use WeChat Pay as a foreigner.
Read on to explore WeChat Pay’s key features, fees, and benefits, plus a simple walkthrough on adding your YouTrip card — even without a Chinese bank account. You’re just one setup away from smooth payments and competitive CNY exchange rates across China.
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⚡️ TL;DR: WeChat Pay at a Glance
| Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| What is WeChat Pay? | Digital wallet integrated into the WeChat messaging app for cashless payments across China |
| Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay? | Yes! Foreign visitors can link international cards to WeChat Pay (available since July 2023) |
| Best Card to Link | YouTrip card for competitive CNY exchange rates with zero fees in 150+ countries |
| Setup Requirements | • Download WeChat app • Create/login to account • Verify passport details • Link foreign debit/credit card |
| WeChat Pay Transaction Fees | • FREE for purchases below 200 CNY (~S$37) • 3% fee for purchases above 200 CNY |
| WeChat Pay Spending Limits | • Per transaction: 6,000 CNY (~S$1,110) • Monthly: 50,000 CNY (~S$9,250) • Annual: 60,000 CNY (~S$11,100) |
| Payment Methods | • Scan merchant QR codes • Show your QR code to merchants • Use for metro/bus via mini-program |
| WeChat Pay Features | Money transfers, food delivery, transport, bill payments, hotel bookings, shopping, and more |
📚 Table of Contents: WeChat Pay For Foreigners
- What is WeChat Pay?
- Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay?
- How to Set Up WeChat Pay
- Step-By-Step Guide: How to Link Your Foreign Card
- How to Make In-Store Payments
- Using WeChat Pay for Public Transport
- WeChat Pay FAQs: Fees and Things to Note
- Is WeChat Safe?
- Can I Delete My WeChat Account After Leaving China?
What is WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay is a popular digital wallet service integrated into the popular all-in-one Chinese messaging app WeChat. It lets users make quick, cashless payments straight from their smartphones — whether they’re shopping online, paying in-store, or settling everyday expenses on the go.
Image credits: Ecommerce Strategy China
Here’s a list of services WeChat Pay provides:
- Money transfers
- Bank-to-bank card transfers
- Ordering food delivery and restaurant payments
- Transport payments
- Bill-sharing and splitting
- Payment of utility and credit card bills
- Share Bike Hiring (Scan and Go)
- Grocery shopping, general shopping, and online retail
- Food purchases and restaurant bills
- Event ticket purchases
- Selling your products and services
- Buying and selling second-hand goods
- Flash sales
- Insurance services
- Housing and accommodation payments
- Hotel bookings
- Taxi hailing
- Rail and flight bookings
📖 Related Guide: Alipay For Foreigners: How To Use Alipay In China
Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay?
Yes — foreigners who aren’t Chinese citizens or permanent residents can use WeChat Pay. If you’re a Singaporean travelling to China, you can set it up before you go, as WeChat Pay is available in Singapore.
To make payments in China without a Chinese bank account, simply download the WeChat app and link your YouTrip card. You’ll be able to pay seamlessly and enjoy competitive CNY exchange rates throughout your trip (we’ll show you how below 👇).
❗️ Note: Not all merchants accept WeChat Pay. Look out for the WeChat Pay logo in-store or at checkout, or check with the merchant before paying!
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How to Set Up WeChat Pay
Image credits: China Daily
- Download the WeChat App on your phone via the App Store or Google Play
- Launch the app > tap ‘Sign Up’.
- Fill in your personal details > tap ‘Sign Up’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until your account is successfully created.
❗ Signing Up or Logging Into an Old WeChat Account
If you’ve previously downloaded WeChat on another device and registered using your mobile number, WeChat can be a little… protective. When logging in on a new device with the same number, you’ll need to do one of the following:
- Use your original device to scan the QR code shown on the new device, or
- Ask a friend who’s already on WeChat to verify your identity by sending the verification numbers displayed in the app
If you’re unable to follow through with the above, opt to sign up for a new WeChat account using your Facebook or Apple ID instead.
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Step-By-Step Guide: How to Link Your Foreign Card to WeChat Pay
Tip: Link your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates
YouTrip is a multi-currency travel wallet that lets you pay in over 150+ countries (including China!) with zero fees. Making payments in China? All you have to do is top up your YouTrip wallet in SGD within the app.
Once your YouTrip card is linked to WeChat Pay, our SmartExchange™ technology will automatically convert SGD to CNY at the point of payment — giving you the best Chinese Yuan rates.
Ready to set it up? Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay.
How to link your YouTrip Card to WeChat Pay:
- Sign up for a YouTrip account and complete the verification process
Sign up with code <YTBLOG5> for FREE S$5!
- Top up your YouTrip wallet
Via PayNow, a linked bank account (eGIRO), or with a debit/credit card
- Once your YouTrip account is funded (in SGD), open the WeChat app and navigate to the ‘Me’ tab.
- Select ‘General’ > ‘Tools’ > ‘Weixin Pay’ > ‘Enable’ > You’ll receive a Weixin Pay notification
- Tap ‘Activate Weixin Pay’ and verify your full details
Including your passport details and an image of your passport
- Head to ‘Me’ once again.
This time you should be able to see ‘Services’ that was not in your WeChat app previously — tap on it.
- Tap ‘Wallet’ > ‘Cards’ > ‘Add a card’ > Enter your payment password (you would’ve already set this up under the verification process)
- Enter your YouTrip card details, including the card number, expiry date, and CVV.
After entering your card details, the system should automatically select ‘MASTERCARD’ under Card Type
- Follow the prompts to verify your card
This may involve receiving a one-time password (OTP) via SMS or email.
- Once your YouTrip card is successfully added to WeChat Pay, you can start using it for seamless payments and transactions throughout China! 🎉
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How to Make In-Store Payments with WeChat Pay in China
Image credits: Medium
Using WeChat Pay to make payments is a straightforward process. Once you’ve linked your bank card to your WeChat Pay account, you can proceed to make payments in two ways.
Here are two ways you can pay with WeChat Pay in China:
1. Scan the QR code provided by the merchant or by entering their WeChat ID
- Click on the ‘+’ sign on the WeChat homepage
- Select ‘Scan’ to scan the QR code
- Enter the amount you’d like to transfer
- Confirm the transaction with your payment password
- Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a notification confirming the transaction.
2. Utilise Quick Pay and have your QR code ready for the vendor to scan
- Click on ‘Me’ > ‘Services’
- Click on ‘Money’ at the top left-hand corner of the screen
- Display your QR code to the vendor for scanning
💡 WeChat Pay also supports online payments within the app and through integrated mini-programs.
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How to Use WeChat Pay to Pay for Public Transport in China?
WeChat users can use the WeChat app to pay for metro and bus rides. But first, you’ll need to activate a mini-program. Note: This QR code is different from the one used for regular point-of-sale payments!
How to set it up:
- Open WeChat > ‘Me’ > ‘Pay and Services’
- Under Travel & Transportation, select ‘Travel Service’
- Click ‘公交地铁’ to activate the QR code > agree to the T&Cs > ‘Activate now’
- Choose your preferred deduction method > tap ‘Enable’ and ‘Agree’ to authorise automatic deduction of funds
- Enter your WeChat payment password > hit ‘Enable’
- There you have it! A new QR code will be generated every time you pay for public transportation in China.
💡 Tip: If you’re unable to locate the mini-program as mentioned above, search for “Chengchema (乘车码)” in the “Search” section of WeChat and activate accordingly.
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WeChat Pay FAQs: Fees & Things to Note
Not all merchants accept WeChat Pay. Look out for the WeChat Pay logo in-store or ask the staff before paying. As a backup, you can also use Alipay — check out our Alipay for Foreigners guide for setup tips.
At the moment, foreigners using WeChat Pay can’t send or receive red packets.
Yes — but only in certain cases.
· No fees for purchases below 200 CNY
· 3% transaction fee for purchases above 200 CNY (~S$37)
A: Yes, there are a few caps to be aware of:
· Per transaction: 6,000 CNY (~S$1,109.97)
· Monthly spending limit: 50,000 CNY (~S$9,249.77)
· Annual spending limit: 60,000 CNY (~S$11,099.72)
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Is WeChat Safe?
WeChat uses multiple security measures, including encryption and established security protocols, to protect user data and transactions. According to WeChat’s official statements and privacy policies, user privacy and data protection remain a key priority across the platform.
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Can I Delete My WeChat Account After Leaving China?
Yes, you can delete your WeChat account after leaving China. Just note that once it’s deleted, all account data will be permanently lost. This includes your chat history, contacts, and any linked services or payment information.
If you think you might use WeChat again in the future, you’ll need to set up a brand-new account.
❗️ Before deleting anything, make sure all payments and transactions linked to your account are fully settled.
Image credits: Unsplash
To delete your WeChat account when leaving China, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WeChat account and navigate to ‘Me’ or your profile section.
- Click on ‘Settings’ > ‘Account Security’ > ‘WeChat Security Centre’
- Head to ‘Safety Tools’ and select ‘Account Cancellation’ You may need to submit an application, delete all data, and verify your identity or provide additional information to proceed.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deletion of your account. This may involve agreeing to terms and conditions or entering a verification code sent to your phone number.
- Once confirmed, your WeChat account will be deleted permanently, and you will lose access to all associated data.
- If prompted, log out of the WeChat app to ensure that your account deletion is finalised.
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Have You Added Your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay Yet?
Using WeChat Pay during your travels in China offers unparalleled convenience. Bookmark this WeChat Pay guide and share it with your friends and family! Don’t forget to link your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay to save extra with the best CNY rates!
Not a YouTrooper yet? Singapore’s go-to multi-currency wallet helps you save with great FX rates and zero fees. Skip the money changer and get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.
Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!
Happy travels!
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