Kina 
Most people think cash is always sufficient in China. In reality, a taxi, a café, and even a restroom fee can be entirely QR code-based, and staff may lack change even if they want to help.
For Swedish travelers, it is not the visa that usually causes everyday stress, but the payments. With Alipay and WeChat Pay in place, the journey becomes smoother, from the subway in Shanghai to small restaurants in Chengdu.
Preparations at Home Before Traveling to China
First, you need to know that foreign bank cards work in China, but often only at larger hotels and certain international chains. In regular stores, mobile payments are the norm, and the QR code is the checkout.
Make sure your mobile has the latest iOS or Android, and that you have roaming or a plan for eSIM. Many functions in Alipay and WeChat Pay require you to receive SMS or email for verification.
Still, bring a physical bank card. It serves as your backup if the app malfunctions and may be needed for deposits at hotels or for certain ticket machines.
Install Alipay and WeChat Pay at home in peace. Doing the initial verification when you are already in China can become unnecessarily stressful if the internet is unstable.
The Real Application: Linking Bank Cards and Identifying Yourself
Alipay and WeChat Pay have opened up for foreign visitors by allowing you to link Visa or Mastercard. This feature may change over time, but the principle remains the same: you need to enter your card, confirm your identity, and then pay by scanning or showing a QR code.
In Alipay, the flow is usually clear with a tourist profile and a wallet where you add cards. WeChat Pay often requires you to first have a WeChat account and then activate Wallet, sometimes with a region selection.
Identity verification may involve photographing your passport and sometimes doing a facial scan. Follow the instructions carefully and write your name exactly as it appears in the machine-readable line of your passport if the app asks for it. Small deviations in middle names can otherwise stop the approval.
Expect that some banks in Sweden may flag transactions from China. If you want to reduce the risk of blocking, inform your bank that you are traveling or activate travel settings in the banking app.
An extra detail that many overlook is that you may need to enter an address. Use your Swedish registered address if the app asks, and keep the same spelling as on the card issuer.
On Departure Day: Ensure You Can Log In
Before leaving home, test that you can log in to both apps without needing to change SIM or receive a new SMS. Sometimes security checks are triggered when you change countries.
Also, add a second payment option if possible, such as an extra card. This way, you can switch quickly if one card is declined.
Save a screenshot of your passport number and visa details in a secure password manager, not in open images. This can help if you need to fill in the same information again.
At the Airport and Layovers: What Can Stop Payments
When you are on your way to China, you may encounter the first practical difference. WiFi at airports and hotels can be slow or require local verification, and some Western services are limited in China.
This does not mean that Alipay and WeChat Pay stop working, but you do not want to be without internet when you need to call a car or pay for your first meal. Have a plan for data right upon landing.
If you have a layover in Hong Kong or Macao, you may notice that payment patterns differ. In mainland China, QR payments are more prevalent, while card acceptance may be better in Hong Kong.
Arrival in China: First Payment and First Receipt
When you land in China, the first expense is often transportation. In large cities, there are taxis, subways, and app-based options, but payment is often made via QR.
Many stores display two QR codes at the checkout, one for Alipay and one for WeChat Pay. You either scan their code, or you show your own payment code for the staff to scan.
Keep receipts for larger purchases. This helps if you need to make a return, and may be relevant if you need to justify expenses for work.
Quick Comparison for Swedish Travelers in China
| Situation in China | Alipay | WeChat Pay | Practical Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small shops and street food | Very common | Very common | Have both ready, some only accept one |
| Hotels and deposits | Sometimes | Sometimes | Have a physical card as backup |
| Subway in big cities | Often possible | Often possible | Look for Transit or Metro in the app |
| Money to friends in China | Limited for tourists | Limited for tourists | Ask to pay by scanning their payment code |
| Refunds on returns | Common to the same method | Common to the same method | Pay for larger purchases with the same app for easier refunds |
Tips on the Ground in China: Avoiding Hassles in Daily Life
In China, smoothness is about routines. Open the app before you are in line, increase the screen brightness so the scanner can read the code, and check that you have selected the correct card if you have multiple.
Be prepared for some purchases to trigger an extra check, especially on the first day. Keep your passport available at the hotel if the app asks for new verification.
The currency is renminbi, often called RMB or yuan. Small amounts go quickly; a coffee can cost around 20 to 40 RMB, a simple lunch around 30 to 70 RMB depending on the city and area. With a rate of about 1 RMB equaling 1.4 to 1.6 SEK, the price level can feel different, but QR payments can make it easy to lose track if you do not check the history.
Alipay and WeChat show transactions immediately. Review the list every evening, especially if you are traveling in multiple cities.
Here are five China-specific habits that make a difference:
- Always have a small cash reserve in RMB for places that accept cash but lack QR.
- Use eSIM or roaming on the first day so the apps can verify.
- Activate the app’s English language if available; menus can otherwise be hard to interpret.
- Keep an eye on service fees and currency conversion charges from your card issuer.
- Double-check the amount before approving when paying in crowded environments.
If a payment is declined, switch from scanning the store’s QR to showing your own payment code, or vice versa. In China, there are often two different flows at the checkout.
Security and Privacy in China When Paying with Mobile
China is generally safe for tourists in daily life, but mobile payments require the same vigilance as at home. Lock your mobile with biometric protection and use a screen lock that is required directly.
Avoid lending your phone to anyone offering help, even if the person seems service-minded. If you need assistance, ask the staff at the checkout to guide you without holding your mobile.
Do not use open WiFi networks to make larger payments if you can avoid it. Mobile data is often more stable and easier.
When Payment is Linked to Entering China
Upon entry, you may be asked to show bookings and the address of your first accommodation, and sometimes a plan for onward travel. This is not a payment issue, but when everything is digital, it is practical to have access to emails and booking apps.
In China, it is also common for hotels to register guests against their passports. Have your passport ready at check-in, and expect that the process may take a little longer than in Europe.
Final Check Before Returning Home
Before leaving China, check if you have refunds pending, such as tax-free or canceled tickets. Refunds often go back to the same payment method, making it easier if you have stuck to one app.
If you need to document transactions for travel expenses, you can save as a PDF from the app’s receipt overview, but do it only when you have a stable connection.
Start Early with Your Visa So the Trip Flows Smoothly
Payments in China become much easier when you can focus on daily life, not on administration. Therefore, make sure that the entry requirements are clear well in advance, so you can spend time getting Alipay and WeChat Pay set up.
Start your application in good time via VIZA.se here, Start your visa application for China.
