Payments and apps for Indian business travellers in China

Set up before you leave India

China runs on mobile apps. Payments, taxis, maps, train tickets and conversations with suppliers are handled on the phone, and several services Indian travellers use every day do not work on Chinese networks. Setting up the right apps before departure, while you still have Indian SIM access for verification codes, saves time and avoids problems on arrival.

App features, card acceptance and limits change regularly. The notes below are a general guide; check each app's current terms before you travel.

Payments: WeChat Pay and Alipay

Most payments in China are made by scanning a QR code with WeChat Pay or Alipay, from street food stalls to taxis and wholesale market shops. Both apps now allow foreign visitors to link an international Visa or Mastercard card, which makes them usable without a Chinese bank account.

• Install both apps and complete registration with your Indian mobile number.
• Link an international card and enable international use on the card with your bank. Some Indian cards need a separate approval for foreign transactions.
• Complete identity verification with your passport when the app asks for it.
• Check limits and fees. Foreign cards carry transaction limits and may attract a fee on larger payments. Your bank may also charge a foreign exchange markup.
• Test a small payment soon after arrival to confirm that the setup works.

Cash in Chinese yuan (RMB) remains legal tender and is useful as a backup. Carry a moderate amount, and keep a forex card or an international debit card for ATM withdrawals. International hotels generally accept international credit cards.

Paying suppliers

Wallet apps are for daily expenses. Payments to suppliers for orders and deposits should go through formal banking channels: a proforma invoice in the supplier's company name and a bank transfer to the company account. Do not pay deposits to personal accounts or personal wallets, and keep the invoice, the contract and the remittance records together. Foreign remittances from India are subject to Indian rules on documentation and tax collected at source, so confirm the current position with your bank or chartered accountant.

Messaging: WeChat

WeChat is the main communication tool for Chinese suppliers. Business cards often carry a WeChat QR code in place of an email address, and follow-up after a fair or market visit usually happens on WeChat.

• Register before you travel. New accounts sometimes need verification by an existing WeChat user, which is easier to arrange from India.
• Use the built-in translation for messages. Long-press a message to translate it.
• Save each supplier's contact with the company name, product and booth number, so you can identify them later.

Internet and connectivity

Many services commonly used in India, including Google services and WhatsApp, are not accessible on Chinese mobile and Wi-Fi networks. Indian roaming plans route data through the home network and usually keep these services available, but roaming can be expensive for a week of heavy use. Compare international roaming packs from your Indian operator with travel eSIM plans before departure, and check how each one handles access to your usual apps. Follow local laws on internet use.

Download what you need before you leave: offline maps, translation packs, the trip itinerary, hotel addresses in Chinese, and copies of your passport and visa.

Maps and transport

• Maps: Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps are the most accurate maps in China. Apple Maps also works well in mainland China. Google Maps is unreliable there.
• Taxis: DiDi is the main ride-hailing service and can be used through its own app or within Alipay and WeChat. Keep your hotel address in Chinese characters to show the driver.
• Trains: high-speed rail tickets can be booked on the official railway app or on travel booking platforms. Passports are needed to book and to board.
• Metro: Guangzhou and Shenzhen have extensive metro networks with English signage. Payment by QR code in the wallet apps is widely accepted.

Translation

A translation app is useful for menus, signs and short conversations. Choose one that works in China and supports offline use, and download the Chinese language pack before departure. Camera translation, which reads text through the phone camera, is particularly helpful for menus and product labels.

For supplier negotiations, use a human translator. Apps handle simple phrases well, but technical specifications, payment terms and quantities are easily misunderstood. On our group tours, a verified guide and translators accompany the group.

Other practical points

• Power: China uses 220 volts. Plug types differ from Indian sockets, so carry a universal adapter.
• Power bank: a phone is used heavily for payments, maps and translation. Carry a power bank that meets airline rules on capacity.
• Business cards: carry English cards, ideally with a Chinese translation on the reverse, and a WeChat QR code.
• Copies of documents: keep scans of your passport, visa, hotel bookings and travel insurance on your phone and in email.

Pre-departure checklist

1. Install WeChat and Alipay and complete registration.
2. Link an international card and enable foreign transactions with your bank.
3. Choose a roaming pack or travel eSIM.
4. Download offline maps and translation packs.
5. Save hotel addresses in Chinese and the tour manager's number.
6. Carry some yuan in cash and a universal plug adapter.

For food planning, see vegetarian and Jain food in China. For the visa, see the China business visa guide.

Questions