Hi All,

What epayment app do you recommend for China? Seems to be Alipay, Tencen (WeChat) or UnionPay, however I've read elsewhere that you need a China-based bank card to "connect" to your account before payments can be made. Is this true?

If anyone has successfully got an app and made payments, please share your experience here. Including ease of use, any security concerns, and language barrier (within the app itself, ie are all the screens and messages in English?)

I'll be using a Samsung phone, so Android app.

Thanks very much.

You can use ALIPAY. But you neeed a FRIEND ...LOCAL who you can trust to transfer the Money into your Alipay ACCOUNT. Then you pay him/her the CASH.

Not sure if you your ALIPAY account open in MALAYSIA can be use in CHINA.

Many Places now use ALIPAY . So it is a MUST.

Some restaurants, stalls, etc may NOT use CASH. But better if you bring SMALL notes for PAyment as they may not have CHANGE for big Notes.

This post has been edited by oldies1950: Oct 18 2018, 03:15 PM

UnionPay is China's equivalent of Visa/Mastercard. It's Govt owned.

Mobile payment is mainly WeChat Pay & AliPay. However, both you'll need a China based bank account to reload your e-wallet. Or reload thru 3rd party. Not to mention you'll need data (to scan the merchant's QR code).

For WeChat account registered in Msia, you'll need a 3rd party to send min RMB1 angpow to your WeChat Pay in order to activate the China wallet. Else you'd only have Malaysia wallet.

ok, thanks for the info. Not so easy for foreigners in China for using phones to pay, it looks like!

Yes you can. As long as you have RMB inside the account.

Buying groceries at supermarket, I just show my code to the cashier, no need data also the payment can be completed.

How can this work without a China SIM card. Cannot buy nowadays due to new security rules.

Are SIM cards still for sale at airports or anywhere?

Recent trip, I could not buy one from shops without a China ID. Foreign passport not eligible. Shenzhen airport zero, even asking staff.

Any solution (without asking someone else to register illegally)?

can get from Pudong airport last month

Maybe changed since Oct 1 ??? I was denied in every city for a week and two airports.

I asked a friend to send me angpow. Came through OK but cannot open wallet without China ID and bank account. Ringgit wallet not usable in China.

I bought WeFly SIM from Qoo10 Singapore before heading to China last month. Can use Whatsapp, YouTube in China without VPN. Just put in the SIM when landed there and straight away can use

I have no problem using just Visa card in China.

I use to shop, dine, take public transport using rhb, hsbc, hong leong bank credit card when i'm at china. No problemo!!

Maybe those 5/6 star international hotels, ok.
Try hawker stalls in the street, parking lots, souvenir stalls, who happily accept WeChat
Or supermarkets that say only China VISA.

@Avantasia

How did you use cards for public transport? Were local taxis, buses, DiDi, bus and train stations OK for foreign VISA?

Thanks for the tip!

I found Sim2Fly on Lazada which looks like it will do the job too. My alternative was to ask a relative to bring along a HK dual card under his name, but that has its own problems like non renewable expiry, no top up outside of HK, etc.

I did this. No guarantee.

1. I unlink my Public Bank debit card from my Ringgit wallet.
2. I get an angpow
3. I relink that same debit card to get a Yuan wallet.

I did use when using subway and it is well accepted. But taxi i use cash.

Another SIM option is Hello1010. I bought the RM66 sim before I went to Shanghai early this year. Works like a charm. Since the SIM is riding on HK network, there's no need for VPN to surf Google, FB, Whatsapp etc. I won't recommend VPN because the apps may not be stable. My co-worker rented a WIFI router instead and used VPN; her connection breaks off so often that she gave up after 2 days and resigned to being blocked from social media

Hello1010: https://hello1010.my/country/asia/china.html

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Oct 25 2018, 02:12 PM

Have a look at this

https://www.mypokefi.com/products

A lot of ppl i know working in hk, use this in china. Vpn not required. Whatsapp youtube all jalan

u can always get the SIM using passport at airport (mostly the shops inside the airport) , i've got the SIMs before in Guangzhou and Shenzhen airport , but Guilin airport is not available.

You can get in bigger Unicom outlet. Don't buy CHina Mobile, can't get 4G

Last week at Shenzhen none in sight. Asked airport staff , they said none in airport. In another city, several shops and agents said passport not enough, must have China residence or some other China ID.

Several brands available Myfly Sim2fly etc but one drawback -- no voice except maybe via WeChat etc, and no China number for others to call. Sometimes needed for apps and other business. A few years ago the HK dual ones had a number but don't know about the present system.

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Oct 25 2018, 09:06 PM

Unicom China Sim card for foreigners

https://www.mychinaunicom.com/toProdisplayPage.dhtml
Customize your Sim card here then shipped to your China Hotel.
Collect it once you check in

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Oct 25 2018, 09:45 PM

senzhen is selling alot sims outside the airport too.

But not for foreigners! I tried last week!!!

hmm i not sure...coz i just simply enter 1 shop and say im tourist, so they just register the sim with my passport

or u can go to UNICOM centre to register sim with passport although not every centre allows , mostly small shops wont allow

Found Lazada one for Guangdong only, enough for me this trip. Cheaper, more days, more GB, no blocking. But data only.

You mean just wave your Credit card will do?

Yes...widely accepted there!

but the currency conversion by the bank must be very kao kao

Use Digi 3 Days Roams - RM25... works perfectly plus free many minutes to receive and call out local and international calls.

As for top up, there's many offers in shopee and online where u can ask them bout their "rate" and transfer it over to your mobile. Works great!

Can call & received both Malaysia number & China number(my hotel)?

Hi, is there any way for Malaysian to use alipay in china?

1)Phone kena ada data
2)Kena topup using China bank account.
3)If no.2 tarak, need to find a 3rd party to topup/transfer to your Alipay.

Phew... Meaning Malaysian bank card is useless?

Not just Malaysian. Worldwide when it comes to alipay

How about wechat pay?

Can withdraw cash there. Maybank charge RM12 per transaction.

Bank of China & ICBC ATMs max RMB3000 per withdrawal.

I would like to use but seems not working

Same problem.

You can have China wallet but you can't top up using your Malaysian/Worldwide credit card.

I'll be going to china soon

So I'm told that the best way to pay for everything in china is either alipay or wechat.

I've just setup both. How do I top them up?

Anyone have experience with Travel Recommends wifi adapter before?
Im tempted to buy the wifi adapter without VPN option instead of the one with VPN.

Just afraid that will be getting unstable line if i go for the wifi adapter without VPN.

Btw, any free VPN to recommend? Am using Android btw

yes, need info on this too, already registred for ali pay. not sure how to top pup

Seems you may need a China-registered (China bank issued) credit card for top-up, from what I have read elsewhere so far...?

Also I heard Android pay (Google Wallet) and Samsung pay etc also doesn't work in China.

Maybe the next traveller to China can verify and post back here!

hi all, so the only way for a person without a china bank account is to use cash in every transaction?

i am afraid the chinese will hate me

My co worker when for business trip told me the same. Most of them don't accept foriegn credit card unless is international chain like Starbucks Disney blah blah. Else just pay cash but some dont accept big notes.

Questions: if I have bank of china credit card (Malaysia). Can use in China like normal citizen? Just wondering

This post has been edited by yahiko: Dec 1 2018, 03:59 PM

so the proper step if want to use alipay is :

1) get a china sim card like hello1010, activate at Malaysia
2) download China's version WeChatpay or Alipay
3) get someone's service to exchange RM with RMB to top up that WechatPay / Alipay

correct?

You can use Alipay with a China sim card. Transfer your RMB cash into your Alipay account at any convenient stores (depends on the amount, with extra 10-30RMB as service charge). You can pay at any stores or Didi (grab in China) using Alipay, but not subway or public transport.

Shanghai subway accept Alipay and Wechatpay

You cant pay with Alipay or Wechat unless you verified your identity with local bank card or ID.

Got trick to used alipay and wechat pay for foreiners

Buy China Sim card and download wechat & alipay.
Once done pay cash to someone and ask them transfer the wechat/alipay credit to your phone and activated the whole system.

Without bank account link to it, you just can't direct transfer money into wechat/alipay account. So eveytime you want to top up, just pay cash to someone and ask them transfer credit to you

True it is, but only for Alipay. Wechat unable to receive credit without identity verified. Purchasing tickets at some public transportation with AP or WP will need real name identification with ID or China bank account.

Wah it seems so complicated to transact a purchase within China. The entire tech platform is skewed against non-Chinese residents and makes it really hard for casual foreigners to visit and buy stuff on streets and shops. This is really a big negative, I hope they realise.

So for Alipay have to reload through third party as I read above, then if I got extra RMB in my Alipay after travel, anyone know how can I withdraw it?

If the AP is working on your phone with China SIM registered to you, wouldn't your passport be enough for ID?

Can I do this now in Malaysia with my China SIM?

Nice site, nice service, but maybe over-priced in USD$. 10GB data for Rm80?

Guangzhou in November - I found SIM service at the Hotels Info counter before exiting security area. It was Unicom but I don't remember the price. Official Unicom counter in big mall told me it would be valid as long as there is balance. I bought a 50 yuan top up card to keep on hand for next landing in China..

The website says expires after 90 days despite balance. Extend 90 days for USD$10, etc. When I put in number, it says not valid for their service. I guess I should risk 50 yuan and load the topup before the 90 days. Dunno if works outside China though.

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Jan 22 2019, 02:18 AM

If your IP address is China then can download China version wechat & Alipay which comes with thier payment system.


Should be able to top up outside of China since it was using credit card method to top up.
This FAQ should able to answer ur question.
https://www.mychinaunicom.com/help-FAQ.jsp

This foreigners version of Unicom sim card cannot top up from shop, It only can top up from website according to FAQ


This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 22 2019, 10:24 AM

Left-over Soviet style tourism economy. Obviously you didn't experience the hassle before of different currency notes for foreigners, notes that local people had never seen before and could be used to buy "luxury" goods, like rationed soap.

Some Qs:

1. So can we use the Alipay (installed in Malaysia) in China?
2. Can we use Malaysia credit / debit card registered in Alipay (installed in Malaysia) in China?
3. Should I go through the hassle or just get a Unionpay debit card?

What about WeChat?

Update: I could not do the 50 rmb top up myself. I had to get a China resident visiting Malaysia to do it for me.

@pigduck: " or just get a Unionpay debit card?" Do you mean do this in Malaysia? Might not work in China or charges very expensive. If it allows you to validate for AP and WP then good!

So to summarize:

1. It will not be easy to get a sim card that can be registered using passport? (Not easy as in not every telco shop can sell a sim card for tourist)

2. Malaysia wechatpay and alipay will not be able to use in China. In order to use in RMB denomination, we have to ask someone with RMB wechatpay account to give us RMB angpau. (But in the first place can we register a RMB wechat pay account, or upon the transfer of the RMB angpau we will automatically have a RMB wechat pay account)?

3. Didi (equivalent to our Grabcar) requires us to have a china simcard/phone number to use, in order for the driver to contact us to confirm location etc?

Thank you.

Nope..I used didi in China with my Malaysian phone. No problem.

So do they not need to call you to confirm location etc?

no need call, if you have data can already. they accept cash if better they prefer cashless.

Make sure of your exact location & there’s no need for calls just like here when using grab

you can chat in app too so if u have data can liao.

You can get top up for wechatpay from Yayaka website. Buy whatever amount you need. In order to activate China wallet, yayaka support will help you by sending 1 cent yuan to u via wechat. However it requires you to install Wechat for windows, on your PC, to accept the 1 cent. It's a workaround. Once your wallet is activated you can logout from PC and on your phone wechat app, you will see a new item to switch wallet region... then you can also add your Malaysia credit card. Then Yayaka support will send you the QR codes for u to transfer/topup yuan into your China wallet. Don't rely on credit card although linked already. Try to ensure you have Cash balance in case your credit card transaction doesn't work with certain transactions.

When was that?

I used to have Wechat China wallet. Long story.

But suddenly this year, it stop working. The only way to get it back is to have a China bank card and a China phone number.

Hey guys, im travelling to shenyang end of this year from dec 31 to jan 20.. the cheapest flight for return is xiamen airlines which js only rm1.1k. Anyone have experience taking xiamen air? Are the airlines ok?

Never updatw the latest version of wechat. Once you update then your china wallet is gone

One of best airline in China. 4 star airlines, similar to our MAS
Meal and check in luggage are complimentary

I had good experience flying with them to Beijing for a few times. Nothing to complaint about aside from noisy passengers.

im relieved to hear this cause or else don't know which airline to buy my ticket from because so expensive.

They don't offer me to buy insurance during payment. is that normal?

nothing to worry about, i usually purchase AXA travel insurance separately

ok. just bought my flight with them.

the economy supersave and economy save the difference is only in miles point is it?

If you need VPN to unblock everything, go Lazada.com.my and find Cisco Express VPN.

Cisco? Some VPN interfere with WeChat e-payment, must check properly first before using.
There is a list somewhere on which VPN can work well there, can Google first.

Nordvpn

Give more info on what you want to see.

Any recent feedback on Hello1010?
I did a search and found couple of positive feedback on Hello1010 but that was back in 2018.

Just want to get reassurance that it is still a good buy before getting it

Note that I was in Shanghai on my way back from Europe recently. Got the Hello1010 SIM, it connected to China Mobile, but WhatsApp didn't work...I wasn't using a VPN as I was only 3hr transit, couldn't be bothered.

hi hi

anyone used the pudong airport lounge before to sleep / shower ?

Cant seem to find booking page, or only walk ins?
anyone can walk in or need certain membership

https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/s...ide.htm#lounges

If you are a member of Priority Pass, there are several lounges you can access in Pudong. See https://www.prioritypass.com/en/lounges/chi...g-international

Some of them also accept pay-per-entry I believe.

I'm a member, but last trip I used the China Eastern lounge as I was in Business Class.

A couple of years ago, their 24/7 online help was excellent. As for their SIM, depending on where you use it, you may need some technical expertise to get it to work. You comfortable with APN setting?

Not very familiar with APN Settings. I thought no set up is required for the Hello1010 SIM. Guess I'll have to research more on it.

It may work straight out of the box or it may not.

If you go to UK and they gave you a UK company's SIM card, then it most likely will.

If they give you a non-UK company's SIM card that will work in UK, then it may not. Then you probably have to do the APN setting manually.

Depends on your luck. Having said that, Hello1010's customer service is 24/7 and excellent. But you still need some technical expertise.

You're right. Just saw this on their website. Looks like need to change the setting a little.

Whoa, this is not good. I will need to depend on WhatsApp a lot to communicate when I'm there.
Weird. Their website clearly states "Access Google, Facebook, Whatsapp without restrictions".

was searching about this~ thanks alot
anyway wanna ask.. is it safe to get money exchange in China itself rather than in malaysia because my friend kena before fake notes. Just checking.

how is the rates there compare to malaysia.. i will use most CC if able to the rest use Cash

Please change in Malaysia. I've heard many stories about this scam where they switch the money (big notes) when you're not paying attention and then claim you gave them fake notes.
This is also happening in taxis around Shanghai. Not sure how common though.
Try to get smaller denominations when paying and keep an eye when they're giving you back change.

I'm visiting Shanghai this Nov, any tips for tourist?

Also is 5 days (excluding flight) enough for Shanghai city only? Will be going to Disneyland one day.

Thanks.

I'm able to use their sim without any manual apn setting. Have good experience with them for my 2 weeks trip in Beijing last month. Just that I need to contact their CS for sim phone no as it doesn't appear automatically.

may i know how much/ where u buy this sim ?
Beside for internet surfing can it support for incoming and outgoing calls ?

U can purchase the SIM card from hello1010.my
No, it does not support calls and sms.

5GB+2GB Unlimited Data*
Up to 4G+ Speed
Usable in China, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan
Support Hotspot
15 Days Usage (Count daily based on Malaysia Time +8GMT)
No registration required
Access Google, Facebook, Whatsapp without restrictions
Cannot Call & SMS
Cannot top up credit
SIM Card expiry 31st March 2020

Hello, does anyone has the experience using alipay in China? I just registered an account, already uploaded my passport and selfie for verification purpose. Now my account is partial verified, not fully verified. I heard that we can still use the balance to pay or receive RMB in China now . So does anyone willing to send me RMB0.01 for testing purpose? I will transfer back to you after that.

You can easily buy that RMB at Shopee