Paying in China: Alipay & WeChat Pay for Malaysians
China is nearly cashless. Here is how Malaysian travellers set up Alipay and WeChat Pay, link a card, and what still needs cash.
China runs on mobile payment. Shops, taxis, markets and even temple donation boxes often prefer a QR code to cash. The good news: both Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept international cards, so Malaysian travellers can pay like locals.
Set up before you fly
- Download Alipay and WeChat and register with your Malaysian number.
- Link a Visa or Mastercard in each app.
- Verify your identity (passport) — do this at home, not at the airport.
How it works on the ground
- Scan-to-pay: open the app, scan the merchant's QR code, confirm.
- Show-your-code: for larger shops, show your payment code to be scanned.
- Small transactions may carry a small international-card fee — check the app.
When you still need cash
- Tiny roadside stalls without a QR code.
- Temple donations.
- As a backup if your phone dies. Carry a few hundred yuan in small notes.
Other useful tips
- Tell your bank you are travelling, to avoid a card block.
- Keep some data ready — you need a connection to pay.
- Hotels, transport and tickets are all handled by us; this is mainly for your own spending money.
Read the Before You Go guide for the full pre-trip setup.
Planning a China trip?
Tell us your dates and group. We answer on WhatsApp within 24 hours, in English, Chinese or Malay.
