WeChat in China: How to Use WeChat in China?

Written by Veronica | Updated August 14,2025

Why do you need WeChat in China? WeChat is the most popular social app developed by Tencent in China. But except the function of social contact, it almost embraces every aspect of life in China, including payment in almost all the stores all over China, ticket booking, food and accommodation ordering, travel routes searching, translation and anything else. It has been a “all-round assistant” for most Chinese. So if you travel in China, Wechat is definitely a very useful tool. Now, let’s us learn more details of its usage.

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• How to Download and Set up WeChat on Your Phone
• How to Use WeChat Pay in China?
• How to Add Contacts and Connect with Other People on WeChat
• Other Features of WeChat: More Than Contact & Making Payments
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WeChat in China

How to Download and Set up WeChat on Your Phone

Where to Download WeChat Safely

For ISO system, search WeChat in App Store and download. For Android system, search WeChat in Google Play or built-in application market and download.

If you want to install on your computer, visit the official website of Wechat International and choose the version of Windows/Mac to download. For the computer version, you need to log in by scanning the code with your mobile WeChat, so it is suitable for auxiliary use.

How to Register a WeChat Account

If you do not buy a Chinese SIM card, an oversea phone number is also acceptable and essential to register a WeChat account. Refer to the below for the detailed registration process.

• Step 1: Tap WeChat to enter the registration page.
• Step 2: Select “Sign Up” and “Sign up with Mobile”. There are also options of “Sign up with Apple” and “Sign up with Facebook”, but the process is more complex, so it is recommended to choose “Sign up with Mobile”.
• Step 3: Enter your name, region, phone and password, check the circle in front of the Terms of Service and click “continue”.
• Step 4: Click the “Authenticate” at the bottom of the page to continue security verification.
• Step 5: Drag the slider to place the puzzle pieces into the image.
• Step 6: Verify mobile, enter your phone number, receive and enter your verification code, then submit.
• Step 7: Verify email, enter your email address, you will receive an email in inbox, complete the verification in this email.
• Step 8: Some users may need other Wechat user to scan the QR code on the phone, so it is advised to find a qualified user in advance, because the QR code must be scanned in 10 minutes to finish registration.
• Step 9: Choose the Weixin services you would like to enable, then click “Done”. Now, you can use the Wechat freely.

How to Use WeChat Pay in China?

What Is WeChat Pay?

WeChat Pay is an in-built function of WeChat. Since published in 2013, it has been one of the main payment methods in China. It enables users to have safe and efficient payment service in shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, metros, buses, taxis, gyms, entertainment venues, hotels and so on.

How to Set up WeChat Pay for Foreigners?

To open and use Wechat Pay, you should follow the prompts to finish real name authentication at first and then add your card. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover are all supported. The detailed steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Tap “Me” -“Pay and Services”-“Wallet”. If you can not find it, Tap “Me” – “Settings” – “General” – “Tools” – “Weixin Pay”, click “Enable” to enable the function first, then continue the following steps.
• Step 2: Tap “Bank Cards”.
• Step 3: Verify real name authentication.
• Step 4: Accept the Service Agreement and Privacy Policy.
• Step 5: Complete the identity information, simply enter name, gender, country/region, ID type (choose passport), ID. No., effective date, expiration date, occupation and address. Click “Next”.
• Step 6: Add bank card, just enter your Card No. and type and click next to finish the process.

Tips: If you verify the identity with passport, then the copy of the passport is required to be uploaded.

How to Pay for Things with WeChat Pay?

After you get bank card ready, WeChat Pay is available. The way of payment is different for offline and online shopping. The specific operations are listed below:

• For offline payment: There are two main methods available.

1. on the top right corner, tap “+” – “Scan”, scan the merchant’s QR code to pay.
2. on the top right corner, tap “+” – “Money” or go to “Me” – ”Pay and Services” – “Money” to find your payment code, and then show it to the merchants.

• For online shopping at other apps in China: select WeChat Pay in payment interface in the app to complete the payment.
• For social: If you want to express your wishes for family members or friends, red packet will be a nice choice. At the dialogue box, tap “+” on the lower right corner, choose “red packet” and enter the quantity and total money. Then click “prepare red packet” and enter your password, it is sent out. The upper limit is CNY 200 for one time.

Tips: Red packet is also a way to transfer money, but it is not recommended when you pay for things.

How to Add Contacts and Connect with Other People on WeChat

How to Add Contacts on WeChat?

In China, WeChat is also a popular social software to keep in touch with friends. Here are the methods to add your friends on it.

• Method 1: on the top right corner, tap “+” – “Add Contacts” to enter your friend’s account number or phone number at the top column, tap “Search” to find your friend and then “Add to Contacts”.
• Method 2: on the top right corner, tap “+” – “Scan”, scan your friend’s QR code to “Add to Contacts”.
• Method 3: After tapping “+” – “Add Contacts”, there is a QR code of your own Wechat at the bottom of this page, others can scan the code to add you as friends.

How to Message and Connect with Other People

If you have added each other as friend on WeChat, you can have a chat by sending text message and voice message.

Firstly, you need to select the friend whom you want to get in touch with. Then, you can directly edit what you want to say in the dialog box at the bottom and tap “Send” on the right. Or, if you don’t like typing, tap the icon on the lower left corner to switch the entering method, then you will see “Hold to Talk” at the bottom, hold and speak. When you finish talking, the voice message will be sent while removing your finger.

If text and voice message cannot meet your demands, the stickers will give you a hand. The sticker gallery is always updated to the current trends and you may easily find the most popular stickers to express your feeling.

Chatting with a Group on WeChat

If you want to keep in contact with more than one friend at the same time, you can have a group chat.

• Method 1: On the top right corner, tap “+” – “New Chat”, select the circle in front of the member you want to add and click “Done” on the upper right corner, then a chat group is established.
• Method 2: If you stay with your friends, the following method is particularly suitable. On the top right corner, tap “+” – “New Chat” or “Add Contacts” – “Join Private Group”. Then enter the four digits you have determined in advance, you will join in the chat group together.

Voice Calls & Video Calls via WeChat

WeChat also provide the function of phone call. If neither text message nor voice message can satisfy your demand, you can make a call on WeChat.

Inside the dialogue box, on the lower right corner, tap “+” – “Video Call”, select “Video Call” or “Voice Call”, then a call is initiated. The voice call is the same as phone, while video call can provide images of each other. Photos are insufficient to show your amazing travel experience in China. ‌Video call can help you show your friends or family members what you see and where you are in a real time.

Other Features of WeChat: More Than Contact & Making Payments

Besides the most common function of contact and payment, the most notable feature of Wechat is the translation function. In the dialog box, long press the message and choose “translate”, then the message will be translated into the system language. At the upper right corner, tap “+” – “Scan” and switch to “translate” at the bottom, then take a picture or upload a picture, the content will be translated automatically.

Wechat is also a platform to book takeouts. Many office workers use it to book lunches in China. In some restaurants, there is QR code on each table which work as a menu. You just need to scan the code and order your dishes on phone directly instead of at the reception desk or from a waiter.

The built-in mini programs have mini-game and short videos to offer so that you can play game and have a rest. All the functions can help you have a better experience in the China travel.

Official Accounts and Subscriptions (for Attractions, Travel Agencies)

Many hot tourist attractions in China have opened Wechat official accounts, where offer ticket booking service, site maps, introduction and latest news of the attractions, etc. In addition, some travel agencies also publish articles of travel such as travel guides on their own account, so you can search and acquire the tourists information in Wechat. It also contains diversified contents like parenting, finance, psychology, workplace, health and so on, so you can subscribe the channels you are interested in.

Mini Programs for Services (Hotels, Transport, Shopping)

‌Mini programs cover different types and offer various and useful services. In mini programs of travel, you can screen the hotels, check the real-time room status, room pictures and book the hotel in advance. As for transportation, there is also mini programs of map, which offer services including route searching and taxi calling. In addition to that, mini programs of purchasing enables you to get access to sales promotion and do online shopping. So it will be a good helper during your China tour.

WeChat Moments (Social Feed)

WeChat Moments is one of the most important functions, which builds a bridge of emotional connection. You can post texts, pictures and videos on WeChat Moments to share simple pleasure in your daily life with friends. Or, you can share external links of articles and music. Of course, you can give a like or make comments on your friends’ sharing so as to have interaction each other.

Related reading: How to Order a Meal Online in China

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WeChat in China

Is WeChat necessary in China? And Is It Free to Use?

Yes, it is. Covering almost all the aspects of life especially payment, WeChat will provide a lot of convenience for your China tour. You don’t need to pay extra cost unless you need to pay the bill.

Can foreigners use WeChat Pay in China?

There is no doubt that foreigners can freely use WeChat Pay in China as long as you have finished the real name authentication and added your bank card.

What Can You Do with WeChat？

‌WeChat is like a versatile tool of daily life. During the China travel, you can buy admission tickets, call a taxi, take the subway, order dishes in restaurants, book a hotel, make an appointment for scenic spots, pay the bill and many other things on WeChat.

How Many People Use WeChat?

WeChat has active user base more than 1.402 billion. An average of 45 billion messages are sent and 410 million video and audio calls are made on the platform every day.

What to do if my WeChat account is frozen?

The easiest and quickest way is to call Tencent Hotline 400-670-0700 and follow instructions. Of course, you can select the self-help account unblocking by selecting “More” – “Security Center” – “Unfreeze Account” at the log-in interface and following the prompts.

Alipay vs WeChat Pay, which is better for foreigners?

Both Alipay and WeChat Pay are popular in China, but they have their own advantages. As a payment instrument, they are largely the same with minor differences. But, WeChat is provided with more functions like life services and social function, so WeChat Pay is more recommended.