China Travel Tips: Payments, eSIM & Getting Around

Before you buy

• Check that your exact phone model supports travel eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Regional restrictions apply, especially to devices sold in mainland China.
• Buy a plan that explicitly includes mainland China coverage from a worldwide eSIM provider or your home carrier.
• Check whether the plan is data-only or includes voice/SMS, what triggers activation, and how long it remains valid.
• Download the provider app or save the QR code email before departure in case airport Wi-Fi is slow.

Install on iPhone

• Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Service) → Add eSIM.
• Scan the QR code from your provider, or enter details manually.
• Label the line (e.g. "China Data") and set it as the default line for Mobile Data.
• Turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM line if your provider requires it.
• If you keep your primary SIM active for bank SMS, disable data roaming and automatic cellular-data switching on that line, and check your carrier's roaming charges.

Install on Android

• Open Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM (menu names vary by brand).
• Scan the QR code or use the provider app to install.
• Select the eSIM for mobile data and enable roaming if instructed.
• Restart the phone if the line does not register within a few minutes.

After arrival

Connect to airport Wi-Fi first if the eSIM does not activate automatically, then toggle the eSIM line off and on.

Some international eSIMs route data through another region, so higher latency can occur. Test maps, messaging, and a small mobile payment before leaving the airport.

Keep a backup such as hotel Wi-Fi, your home carrier's roaming plan, or a physical local SIM from an official carrier counter.

How to activate an eSIM bought through Alipay

Check the order for the actual eSIM provider, installation instructions and the activation trigger. If you bought the plan through an Alipay service or mini program, payment confirmation is not a substitute for those instructions. Contact the provider named on the order if they are missing.

On a compatible iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM, then scan the provider’s QR code or use its supported installation method. Choose the line for mobile data and follow the provider’s roaming instructions. On Android, use the phone maker’s eSIM settings. A data-only plan does not provide bank-verification SMS.

For the supported iPhone installation methods, check Apple’s current instructions: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669

Download the app

• Search "Alipay" in the App Store or Google Play. The developer should be Ant Group / Alipay.
• Install before your trip so you can complete verification on a stable network.
• On some Android devices, download from the official site if the Play Store version is unavailable in your region.

Create an account

• Open the app and register with an international mobile number or email address when that option is shown.
• Set the login and payment security methods offered by the app; confirmation may use a password, biometrics, or another verification step.
• Complete identity verification with your passport when prompted.

Link a foreign card

• Go to Me → Wallet / Bank Cards → Add Card.
• Add an eligible international bank card. Supported card networks, fees, and limits can vary, so follow the current prompts in the app.
• Enter card details and complete any bank SMS verification from your card issuer.
• Start with a small test payment (e.g. convenience store) before relying on it for larger amounts.

Tips

Avoid saving or sharing screenshots that expose passport details. If linking fails, check the connection, then contact Alipay support or your card issuer.

Purchases are normally charged directly to the linked card; do not assume a foreign card can top up wallet balance. Keep another card and RMB cash as backups.

Alipay payments and mobile data need separate setup

An eSIM provides a mobile connection; Alipay manages payments and access to services. Complete the eSIM provider’s installation steps separately from Alipay registration, identity checks and card linking. Keep access to the number your bank uses for verification.

China’s official payment guide explains that foreign visitors can link eligible international cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay. Acceptance depends on the transaction and service, so keep a card and RMB cash as alternatives: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/11/content_WS6617c858c6d0868f4e8e5f4d.html

Download and register

• Install WeChat from the App Store or Google Play (developer: WeChat / Tencent).
• Register with your phone number and complete SMS verification.
• Add a profile photo and display name. Locals often look for you by your WeChat name when you meet.
• Enable friend verification settings if you prefer to approve new contacts manually.

Set up WeChat Pay

• Go to Me → Services → Wallet (or Pay and Services).
• Add an eligible international bank card under Cards. Supported networks and availability vary by card issuer and the app's current rules.
• Complete real-name verification with passport if required.
• If card linking fails, do not rely on personal transfers, red packets, or wallet balance. Contact Weixin Pay or your card issuer and keep Alipay, a bank card, and RMB cash as backups.

Why it matters for GotripCN

Many locals coordinate meeting points and service schedules through WeChat after you connect on GotripCN.

Install and verify before your trip so you can message your local contact without delay.

Never share payment passwords or verification codes with anyone, even someone who says they are support staff.

Can tourists use WeChat Pay for transportation?

A shop-payment code and a city transport QR code are different. Select the transport service for the city you are visiting and complete its activation and payment-authorisation steps before reaching the gate. Linking a foreign card to WeChat Pay alone does not confirm that every city’s transport service will accept that setup.

For Shanghai, the official metro guide describes Shanghai Metro services inside Alipay or WeChat and the Metro Daduhui app. Use the transport code for entry and exit, following the operator’s instructions. If setup fails, buy a ticket at the station service centre instead of relying on a shop-payment code.

Check the current Shanghai Metro options here: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Individuals-Transportation-PublicTransport/20260813/f257d5c373db4da3a8bde717b9f46b27.html

Scan-to-pay (most common)

• Alipay: tap Scan, scan the merchant's QR code, enter the amount only when prompted, and complete the security check shown by the app.
• WeChat: tap Scan in the top-right or + menu, scan the merchant QR code, and follow the payment prompts.
• Before confirming, verify the merchant name and final amount in CNY on your own screen.

Show your QR (reverse scan)

• Some counters scan your personal payment QR instead.
• In Alipay: tap Pay/Receive and show your barcode to the cashier.
• In WeChat: open Me → Services → Money, select the payment code, and show it to the cashier; menu names may vary by version.
• Show a payment code only at checkout. Do not send screenshots or share the code with anyone remotely.

Cards and cash

International cards are accepted where the corresponding card-network logo is displayed; ask the cashier before relying on a card.

RMB cash remains valid and is an important backup. Carry smaller notes because some merchants may not have change, and use ATMs displaying your card-network logo.

GotripCN does not process payments between travelers and locals. Agree on the price and how to pay directly with your local contact.

Avoid common mistakes

• Do not pay strangers who approach you to "help" with QR setup. It may be a scam.
• Keep small RMB notes for backup and confirm that you receive the correct change.
• Check that the amount is in CNY (元) and review any card-issuer, exchange-rate, or service fees before confirming.

Maps apps

• Amap 高德地图 / AMap Global — a recommended option for local places, public transport, walking, and driving routes.
• Apple Maps — another English-language option; coverage and transport detail vary by city.
• Download the destination city's offline basemap in advance, but remember that live traffic, transit updates, and some searches still require data.

Taxis and ride-hail

• DiDi-Greater China supports registration with an international mobile number and can accept eligible international credit cards. Alipay and WeChat ride-hailing services are additional options.
• Use the official airport taxi queue, ask the driver to use the meter, keep the receipt, and avoid unsolicited rides inside the terminal.
• Save your hotel address in Chinese (screenshot from hotel confirmation) to show drivers.

Metro and trains

• Many cities support app-based transit QR codes, but availability and activation steps vary. Activate the code for the correct city and keep a single-journey ticket, transit card, bank card, or RMB cash as backup.
• High-speed rail: use the official 12306 English website/app or a trusted booking platform. Foreign passengers can book with a valid passport and should carry the same passport when traveling.
• For a first visit to a large station, arrive 45–60 minutes early for security, identity checks, and finding the correct gate.

Meeting your local

Share a live location in WeChat or send a precise Amap pin when coordinating with a GotripCN local.

Pick a clear landmark (metro exit number, mall entrance) rather than only a street address.

If the meeting time or location changes, message your local contact as early as possible.

“Pet-friendly” is not a standard label

A hotel may welcome only dogs, accept just one pet, limit weight or breed, require vaccination documents, or reserve pet stays for a small number of designated rooms.

Some properties offer a pet bed, bowls, a garden room, or outdoor access. Others simply allow a pet to stay in the room. Treat every listing as a starting point and check the details yourself.

Ask these seven questions before booking

• Which animals are accepted: dogs only, or cats too?
• How many pets are allowed in one room, and what are the weight or breed limits?
• Is there a pet fee, cleaning charge, refundable deposit, or damage policy?
• Are vaccination records, registration documents, or advance notice required?
• May a pet stay alone in the room while you are out?
• Which areas are pet-friendly, and which are off limits, including restaurants, pools, gardens, and beaches?
• Does the hotel provide anything for pets, such as bowls, beds, a play area, cleaning supplies, or a walking route?

Start with a city, then verify each property

A city page can help you decide where to stay, but the final decision should always come from the individual property’s current written policy. Start with Shanghai if you want an urban base with a broad choice of accommodation, parks, and day-trip options.

When comparing hotels, save the policy page, the room type, the date you checked it, and the name of any staff member who confirms details by email or phone.

Keep your booking proof together

• Save the hotel’s written confirmation that your pet is accepted in your booked room type.
• Keep vaccination and registration records easy to show at check-in.
• Ask for the hotel’s address in Chinese and confirm the nearest safe walking area before arrival.
• Bring familiar food, medication, a leash, waste bags, and a carrier or crate if the property requires one.

Before you pay

Do not assume a pet is included because a booking site shows a pet-friendly filter. Confirm the exact room, pet details, fees, deposit, and restrictions directly with the hotel before making a non-refundable booking.

Hotel policies can change. This page is a travel-planning guide, not veterinary, border-entry, airline, or legal advice.