Yes, i tried this before.

Just go to any Bank of China branch and open an account. They will give you the Union Pay Debit Card.

Go home and link the debit card number to your AliPay.

In China, i usually used either AliPay or credit card to pay merchants. I have also used the debit card to pay directly because once the AliPay app was a bit slow when i want to pay something.

Interesting... does it work like how a China debit card would ? As in, can we top up the Alipay/WeChat Pay ewallet with the BOC (Malaysia) debit card ?

No.
Only Mainland China debit card can topup. International Unionpay cannot.

this seem to be the easier solution i'm looking for

Please try and let us know the exchange rate

I think the cheapest rate is still cash
But don't think it's advisable to change tons of cash going there
I'm still contemplating on whether to go ask those money changer do they have small CNY note as well...change it as backup

Cash maybe the cheapest, if you caught the right timing, stays nearby your money changer, and finish off all your cash. Otherwise, if you factor in your travel to the money changer costs, time and changing back of your notes it definitely will be more expensive.

I use Alipay linked to Wise and set autoconvert to CNY at my preferred rate. It suits my requirement. I would be interested to see if Boost option is more economical and practical.

Yes. Cash exchange rate still the best.
For me I always change at MV then reach China deposit to my ICBC China mainland bank account.

Most travellers do not have a mainland bank account yar...

Anyway, there are always many ways to skin a cat. Take the best one that is applicable to your own case.

If you're frequent traveler to China can consider open bank account.
Malaysia passport open bank account 30 minutes.

Alipay has other mini apps within it and also travel guides on what attractions there are in each city. Install it and explore it even if you don't link any debit/credit card.

Alipay or Alipay International? Actually they are the same app. The international version is a scale down version showing the features more relevant to foreign tourists. You can switch between the versions.





This post has been edited by ScooterBoi: Jul 16 2025, 12:37 PM

Still easy to open bank account with tourist visa? I thought they are making it more and more difficult.

Last 2 weeks my brother in law opened one in ICBC Shenzhen. 20 minutes. Need your TIN, address (just put hotel), passport and Chinese phone number.

hi guys, i have wechat on my phone currently, how to use wechat pay for my uipcoming trip to china, on the app it mentioned the payment services stopped already since sept 2024

you still can use Wechatpay in China, as long as you link your bank card to Wechatpay. Otherwise u can use Alipay as your alternative

so means using same app? once i go to china it detect i am there and can link my card?

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This post has been edited by erisu90: Jul 21 2025, 01:12 PM

yeap. once u in china, u can use wechatpay. then they will ask u link ur card.

otherwise u can try set up alipay first

This post has been edited by inachi: Jul 21 2025, 05:09 PM

Take note of 3C powerbank rule in China

This post has been edited by sonicmaster: Jul 22 2025, 12:01 PM

How to Set Up WeChat Pay in China

- Open WeChat and use the search function to look for “微信支付”.
- Sign up and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process.

As a new user, you are eligible for a 7-day fee waiver. Normally, transactions above RMB 200 are subject to a 3% surcharge, but this fee is waived for the first 7 days after activation.

This post has been edited by Icehart: Jul 22 2025, 01:57 PM