Hi guys, I have a question regarding AliPay tours pass. Anyone use it before? I traveling to Chengdu this January and wan to know how does AliPay works and how to activate and topup (which bank offer best rate.)

i want to know as well, heading to harbin 1st of Jan. i read alot of forum they say can only top up to RMB5000 only. i tried to find the conversion rate but can't seems to find

They say can top up 2000rmb x2 1000rmb x1 and wechat unlimited.

so total can top up is rmb5000 and after that cannot top up anymore.
can use wechat to top up for us also cannot top up money into wechat wallet

Ya max 5000rmb and wechat pay thru card. cannot topup.

How to use wechat to pay? I don’t think us foregners can use right?

You can bind visa or master card in wechat and pay thru either balance or card.

is cash is still a thing in china?

because all this alipay and wechat seem more troublesome for tourist

They still accepting cash in China, AliPay I think its okay to setup.

Hi guys,

Travelling to china end of this month,my main concern here is how to overcome internet restrictions over there. Can someone who recently been there to clarify few things for me?

Do i need new simcard for data over there?
What is the best way to access whatsapp,use vpn?
Which is more easier to use and have wide acceptance,alipay,tencent?

Thanks in advance

Hi,

1) Data roaming with your current IP is the best.
2) Yes. VPN is the only way. Even if you are on data roaming, FB, and WhatsApp cannot access also. So VPN is a must.
3) You mean the e-wallet. Alipay and Wechat equally good.

If u use roaming data from Malaysia then don't worry, u will still able to access FB & YT & +++
If u buy local data sim then u need to preinstall VPN app
WeChat pay is more widely used, but usually both are available

This post has been edited by noos: Jun 12 2023, 08:48 AM

the last time i was there, data roaming can access everything

I boughted SIM card there with the help from my amoi pren

Setup own VPN at home, all others VPN are slow to connect (if ever), ExpressVPN and NordVPN are craps.

Have both AliPay and WeChat pay. Tends to us ApiPay more because it has more promotion, unless ...... the seller is amoi and you wish to know her wechat contact

Hey there. So, I travelled to China a few months back (from mid-March to mid-April):

1. You can either buy a sim card or use roaming, but it's gonna be very expensive. Suggest you to buy sim card over there, saves you lots of hassle.
2. Use VPN. Install and configure them before you travel to China. I subscribed to ExpressVPN. They're quite OK, but there are a few days that I can't get the VPN working at all. For backup, get your Wechat ready before you fly to China.
3. Alipay. Download and try to configure them before you travel to China. Unfortunately, I can't link any of my bank cards (debit, credit or pre-paid) to Alipay. I read that Alipay recently decided not to support overseas bank. So, what I did was I gave my Chinese colleague (I was on business trip) some cash and ask them to transfer the money to my Alipay (It's quite a hassle as not many ppl want to accept cash). But you can try to link your card first, if you have those Union Pay card, I think you probably can link them. Once you are there, buy a sim card and link your new mobile number to your Alipay.

This post has been edited by Harfan: Jun 12 2023, 09:39 AM

how you managed to get a local sim card, last checked prepaid also they don't sell to foreigners, even if can also need local address

Oh yea, forgot about that. I went there for business trip. So, I brought my local chinese colleague to buy the sim card and I think I used my hotel address. Make sure to bring your passport for registration.

Can confirm. my 2018 trip digi roaming can access everything, WA, Line, FB etc.

VPN failed me, i subscribed to ExpressVPN too and it didn't work at all with local sim, although it is advertised to be able to circumvent the great wall.

speaking of local sim, you can walk in to any china telecom store (official one, not authorised reseller) and get visitor sim.

I'd suggest just use roaming for the best experience.

china where first
someone i know recently went to shanghai and no VPN needed
but he say those QR pay kinda useless as tourist...they're still mainly for locals, cash is still king for tourist(not sure how true is this though)

I just back from China last few days

Do i need new simcard for data over there?
Use data roaming so that you can access fb, whatsapp, google map etc
I buy RM50 for 7 days Digi Roaming, utilised 2gb for whole week

Which is more easier to use and have wide acceptance,alipay,tencent?
I use touch n go for buying things at physical store, they do have both alipay QR and wechatpay QR available, tng has better rate and can withdraw later
You only need either wechatpay or alipay for payment using china apps such as DiDi

If you're using iphone, it won't auto-locate your current location using DiDi

Apps that you might need in china:
DiDi for Transport
Baidu Map for Map (there's another one more widely use by chinaman, forgot the name
Touch n Go for payment at physical store, you can scan them or ask them to scan you.
Alipay or Wechatpay for china apps payment only coz you don't want to waste your alipay, unless you can reload on your own. I ask my suppliers to reload for me and I pay them cash.


This post has been edited by lee90: Jun 13 2023, 10:49 AM