eSIM & Internet
Yesim – $2.2/day with built-in VPN.
Holafly – $3.7/day with built-in VPN.
Trip.com – $0.1/day with built-in VPN.
Dial *#06#. An EID number means your phone supports eSIM.
Tool
Test Alipay and WeChat Pay before your China trip
Before your China trip, use a real ¥1 merchant QR payment to test your current Alipay or WeChat Pay account and card setup. A successful result confirms that this account and card can complete that QR payment flow today; it does not guarantee every merchant, QR type, bank approval, or future payment. This is a traveler self-check, not a developer sandbox.
Alipay
Individual QRStreet vendors · B&Bs · Individuals
¥1 CNY
Instructions
- Open your Alipay app.
- Tap “Scan”.
- Scan this QR code from your phone.
- Confirm payment of ¥1.
- If you see “Payment Successful”, your setup works.
Alipay
Business QRMalls · Hotels · Online platforms
¥1 CNY
Instructions
- Open your Alipay app.
- Tap “Scan”.
- Scan this QR code from your phone.
- Confirm payment of ¥1.
- If you see “Payment Successful”, your setup works.
WeChat Pay
Individual QRStreet vendors · B&Bs · Individuals
¥1 CNY
Instructions
- Open your WeChat Pay app.
- Tap “Scan”.
- Scan this QR code from your phone.
- Confirm payment of ¥1.
- If you see “Payment Successful”, your setup works.
WeChat Pay
Business QRMalls · Hotels · Online platforms
¥1 CNY
Instructions
- Open your WeChat Pay app.
- Tap “Scan”.
- Scan this QR code from your phone.
- Confirm payment of ¥1.
- If you see “Payment Successful”, your setup works.
Keep the QR crisp when scanning or taking a screenshot. Each ¥1 test payment helps cover basic site operating costs.
Before you test (fast setup reads)
In China, QR-based mobile payments are a core part of daily life — from small shops to taxis and street vendors. This is a self-check: success is defined by what you see in the app.
If your test fails, it’s usually a card, bank, or verification issue rather than the QR. These short guides cover the most common fixes for travelers.
Travel essentials
Tools and services that work well in China
Practical picks for staying connected, getting around, booking, and finding food. Keep the apps you know; some Chinese alternatives may offer a clear benefit for specific tasks.
Translation
Microsoft Translator translates words and signs. Download Chinese before your trip for offline use.
Maps & Navigation
Amap helps you get around China. Google Maps can show the wrong location.
Rides & Trains
Didi lets you book a car in English.
12306 is China's official train ticket website.
Trip.com is a good train ticket backup when you need English support.
Airport Transfers & Car Rentals
Trip.com Airport Transfers lets you book a ride from the airport before you arrive.
Trip.com Car Rentals helps you compare rental cars for your trip.
Hotels & Flights
Trip.com lets you book hotels and flights in English. Check hotel details before you book.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help when plans change or you need medical care.
Trip.com – From $21.
Food & Things to Do
Dianping helps you find restaurants and read local reviews.
Trip.com lets you book tours, attraction tickets, and activities in English.
Klook helps you find things to do and travel guides for China.
You’ll be okay in China
You do not need to prepare everything before your trip.
If you need help, hotels, shops, and travel apps can often help you.
Start with the basics. You can solve the rest as you go.
FAQ (test Alipay / WeChat Pay)
How do I test Alipay before traveling to China?
Reveal a QR, open Alipay, scan (or pick the screenshot), and attempt the ¥1 payment. If you see “Payment Successful”, your setup can complete a QR payment.
How do I test WeChat Pay before traveling to China?
Reveal a QR, open WeChat, scan (or pick the screenshot), and attempt the ¥1 payment. If the payment succeeds, your WeChat Pay setup can complete a QR payment. If it fails, double-check your linked card and identity verification.
How do I run an Alipay QR code test?
Open Alipay, tap Scan, scan the QR code (or select a screenshot), and attempt the ¥1 payment. This validates whether your account + card setup can complete a real QR payment.
Is this a real Alipay test payment or a sandbox/test account?
It’s a real ¥1 payment test (not a developer sandbox). You don’t need an Alipay sandbox test account. The goal is to validate your traveler setup with merchant-style QR codes.
Why test both individual and business QR codes?
International cards can behave differently across QR types. Business QR codes often work at formal merchants, while individual QR codes are a common failure case for some card funding sources.
What does “Payment Successful” mean for this test?
It indicates your current account + card setup can complete a small QR payment. It’s a strong signal for real-world usage, but results can still vary by merchant and bank.
What if the Alipay test fails?
Try a backup funding source (debit card), complete passport verification in the app, and test WeChat Pay as a backup. Persistent failures can also mean your bank is blocking overseas transactions.
Is there a way to check whether Alipay or WeChat Pay will work before I arrive in China?
Yes, but no pre-arrival check can guarantee every payment. The most reliable check is to make a small real QR payment, such as ¥1, in Alipay and WeChat Pay before your trip. Test a business QR and, if relevant, an individual QR, then confirm the result in each app. A successful result shows that your current account, card, verification, and payment flow work for that QR type; a different merchant, bank rule, limit, or QR type can still produce a different result.