Payment options in China

Question

Hi all! Have read that WeChat & Alipay both incur 3% for above ¥200 transactions. Would these be on top of the 3.25% Mastercard fee?

Would then like some advice what would be the next best payment methods? Would multi currency debit cards be better? Or perhaps ApplePay?

Thank you.

Answer

When using WeChat Pay or Alipay in China as a foreign visitor, it’s important to understand how fees are applied to transactions funded by international credit or debit cards. The 3% you mentioned typically refers to a service or foreign transaction fee imposed by the payment platform when linking an overseas card, while the 3.25% Mastercard fee (or similar Visa/Amex charge) is a separate currency conversion or international usage fee charged by your card issuer. In most cases, both fees can apply if your WeChat or Alipay wallet is linked directly to a foreign card.

Here’s how the fees usually stack up:

WeChat Pay and Alipay allow foreign users to link international Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards for transactions in RMB.
Each purchase is processed in Chinese yuan (CNY), then converted back into your home currency by your bank or card provider, often adding a 2.5%–3.5% international transaction fee.
On top of that, WeChat or Alipay may apply an additional 3% handling fee for payments above ¥200 when using international cards directly, particularly for large or frequent transactions.
As a result, total costs can exceed 6% when combining platform and card fees.

To minimize costs, there are several practical alternatives and strategies to consider:

Use a multi-currency debit card such as Wise, Revolut, or YouTrip (if available in your region). These cards allow you to hold and spend Chinese yuan directly, avoiding conversion fees. You can also link some of these cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay through UnionPay or Visa connections.
Use cash for small transactions. Although China is highly digital, cash (in RMB) is still accepted at hotels, transport counters, and some restaurants. You can withdraw RMB from ATMs using your international card, often with better rates than app-based conversions.
Apple Pay can be used if your card issuer supports UnionPay or if you have a local Chinese bank card added to Apple Wallet. However, most foreign cards on Apple Pay will still incur your bank’s international fee when used in China.
Prepaid travel cards that support RMB (like Travelex or ICBC prepaid cards) are another option if you want to lock in exchange rates before your trip.

In summary, yes — the 3% from WeChat or Alipay is separate from Mastercard’s 3.25% fee, meaning both could apply if you use a foreign credit card directly. To save on costs, consider using a multi-currency debit card that supports RMB, or rely on cash for smaller purchases. These options generally provide lower conversion fees and more predictable rates compared to using international credit cards through mobile wallets.

For the most seamless experience, linking a card through a platform like Wise or Revolut (if available in your country) and topping up a balance in RMB before your trip is currently one of the most cost-effective and widely accepted solutions for visitors in China.

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