Tips & Answers · Community post
UK traveller to China – Alipay verification, WeChat, cash and bank cards advice needed
A UK visitor asks how to prepare Alipay and WeChat Pay, how much cash to carry, and whether Revolut, Wise and Chase cards are useful in China.
I'm travelling to China from the UK soon for 10 days, and I'm starting to feel unprepared about money and payments. I'd really appreciate advice before I go.
Alipay
I've downloaded Alipay and added one of my cards, but I'm struggling with identity verification. It keeps showing something related to mainland China, and I wonder whether being in the UK is causing it. Has anyone seen this before travel? Is there a sensible way to resolve it before arrival, or is it better to wait until I'm in China?
WeChat Pay
I've also downloaded WeChat and think I've set it up, but I'm not fully sure. How can I check before travelling that the account and payment method are properly ready? Is there anything specific I should verify?
Cash and cards
I'll be in China for around 10 days. How much cash would you take as a backup? I have Revolut, Wise and Chase cards — has anyone used these recently, and is it worth bringing the physical cards as well?
Any money advice would be hugely appreciated. I feel very unprepared — thank you!
Comments (1)
Start with the practical issue you are seeing: our Alipay foreign-passport verification troubleshooting guide covers common verification errors and what to check. Do not try to bypass verification; use the passport details and cardholder name exactly as they appear on your documents, and keep a screenshot of any error in case support asks for it.
Having both Alipay and WeChat Pay is a sensible backup, but it is not safe to assume that every feature works the same way with an overseas card. In particular, a person-to-person QR transfer is not a reliable test for a foreign visitor's payment setup. Before flying, confirm that your card is linked, your identity check is complete where required, and your bank has not blocked overseas or online transactions. Bring the physical cards too.
For ten days, a modest cash backup of roughly RMB 500–1,000 is reasonable for many travellers; the right amount depends on your comfort level and itinerary. Digital payment is common, but cash, a second card, a charged power bank and offline copies of hotel addresses make a much better fallback plan than relying on one app.