WeChat for China Travel: Setup and Essential Features

I messaged my Beijing hotel at 11 PM asking for extra towels. Response in 2 minutes. In English.

That's WeChat—China's everything app. Messaging, payments, hotel communication, mini-programs, and more.

Alipay is your primary payment method. But WeChat is essential for communication. Here's how to set it up and use it.

Why You Need WeChat

Even if you never use WeChat Pay, you'll use WeChat for:

• Hotel communication — staff respond quickly to messages
• Backup payments — when a merchant's Alipay QR fails
• Adding contacts — drivers, tour guides, new friends
• Mini-programs — some services only work on WeChat
• Translation — built-in message translation

Think of it as your communication lifeline.

---

Step 1: Download and Register

Download

Get WeChat from your app store before flying to China.

• iPhone: App Store → search "WeChat"
• Android: Google Play → search "WeChat"

Register

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap Sign Up
3. Enter your phone number (international works)
4. Verify with SMS code
5. Create your password
6. Set your profile name and photo

Important: Your phone number is your WeChat ID for adding contacts. Keep it active during your trip.

---

Step 2: Set Up WeChat Pay (Optional but Recommended)

WeChat Pay is your backup when Alipay fails. Setup is similar to Alipay.

Enable Wallet

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap Me (bottom right)
3. Tap Services or Pay
4. Tap Wallet

Link Your Card

1. In Wallet, tap Cards
2. Tap Add Card
3. Select your card type (Visa, Mastercard)
4. Enter card details
5. Verify with your bank
6. Set a 6-digit payment password

Verification Requirements

WeChat Pay verification can be stricter than Alipay:

• Passport
• Full legal name
• Phone number and address
• Clear photo + face verification
• Processing: 3-7 days

Reality check: Many tourists find WeChat Pay harder to set up than Alipay. If it fails, don't stress—Alipay is your primary anyway.

---

Essential Feature 1: Hotel Communication

This is WeChat's killer feature for travelers.

Adding Your Hotel

1. At check-in, ask: "Can I add you on WeChat?"
2. Staff will show you their QR code
3. Open WeChat → tap + → Scan
4. Scan their code → Add contact

Why This Matters

• Request extra towels, pillows, etc.
• Ask for restaurant recommendations
• Get help with taxi directions
• Check out late? Message them
• Any problem? Instant response

Staff often respond faster on WeChat than in person.

Built-in Translation

When you receive a Chinese message:

1. Long-press the message
2. Tap Translate
3. Read in English

---

Essential Feature 2: Backup Payments

When a merchant's Alipay QR fails (their business code may not accept foreign cards), WeChat Pay often works.

How to Pay

Scanning their code:

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap + → Scan
3. Scan the merchant's QR
4. Enter amount
5. Confirm with password

Showing your code:

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap Me → Services → Pay
3. Show your payment code
4. They scan you

---

Essential Feature 3: Mini-Programs

Mini-programs are apps within WeChat. Some services only work here.

Useful Mini-Programs for Travelers

• Transport cards — bus payment in some cities
• Meituan/Ele.me — food delivery
• Dianping — restaurant reviews
• Museums — ticket booking

How to Find Mini-Programs

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap Discover → Mini Programs
3. Search by name

Or scan QR codes at restaurants/venues that link directly to mini-programs.

---

Essential Feature 4: Translation

WeChat has built-in translation beyond messages.

Translating Messages

Long-press any message → Translate

Translating Mini-Programs

Some mini-programs have a translate button. Look for 翻译 or a globe icon.

For others, screenshot and use Google Translate camera mode.

---

QR Code Etiquette

In China, exchanging WeChat is like exchanging phone numbers.

When to add someone:

• Hotel staff
• Tour guides
• Drivers (sometimes)
• New friends you meet

How to share your code:

1. Open WeChat
2. Tap Me
3. Tap your profile at top
4. Tap My QR Code
5. Let them scan

---

Troubleshooting

Can't register WeChat

• Try a different phone number
• Check SMS is working on your phone
• Wait 24 hours and try again
• WeChat sometimes limits registrations from certain countries

WeChat Pay verification stuck

This is common for foreigners. If it fails after multiple attempts:

• Use Alipay as primary (it's more reliable for tourists anyway)
• WeChat still works for messaging without Pay

Can't receive messages

• Check internet connection
• Make sure WeChat has notification permissions
• Toggle airplane mode and reconnect

Account restricted

WeChat sometimes restricts new accounts or those with unusual activity.

• Wait 24-48 hours
• Follow the in-app prompts to verify
• Contact WeChat support through the app

---

WeChat vs. Alipay: Which for What?

| Function | Use This | |----------|----------| | Payments | Alipay (primary), WeChat (backup) | | Messaging | WeChat | | Hotel communication | WeChat | | Metro QR | Alipay | | DiDi rides | Alipay | | Translation | Either (both have it) |

Bottom line: Alipay for payments and transport. WeChat for communication.

---

Setup Checklist

Before your trip:

• [ ] WeChat downloaded
• [ ] Account registered with your phone number
• [ ] Profile name and photo set
• [ ] Wallet enabled
• [ ] Card linked (optional but recommended)

At your hotel:

• [ ] Add hotel staff on WeChat
• [ ] Test sending a message
• [ ] Confirm translation works

During your trip:

• [ ] Add useful contacts (guides, drivers)
• [ ] Use for backup payments when Alipay fails
• [ ] Explore mini-programs as needed

---

Need Help?

If you'd rather have someone help troubleshoot WeChat setup or answer questions during your trip, our Guardian package includes 24/7 WeChat support for $19.

Yes, we'll help you on WeChat about WeChat. Meta.

---

Related Guides:

• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners
• China Travel Tech Setup
• Surviving the Language Barrier