In China, everyday payments go through two mobile wallets, Alipay and WeChat Pay. Shops, cafés, taxis and markets usually show a QR code, and customers pay by scanning it in one of these apps. To use them as a visitor, you link a bank card to the app. Rumto cards appear in the lists of services supported by these wallets, and for Chinese online stores there is a separate card, Visa E-commerce.
Which Rumto card to use
| Card | Alipay and WeChat Pay | Chinese services |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Universe | Yes (Alipay, WeChat Pay) | Alipay and WeChat Pay are in the card’s list of services |
| Mastercard Business | Yes (Alipay, WeChat Pay) | Alibaba, Meituan, TEMU |
| Visa E-commerce | Not listed | Taobao, Pinduoduo, AliExpress, Meituan, Didi, Luckin Coffee, merchants shown as WEIXIN* and ALP* |
How to pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay
- Get a Visa Universe or Mastercard Business card in the Rumto app.
- Top up your wallet with crypto and move funds to the card.
- Install Alipay or WeChat Pay and add the card details in the wallet app.
- Pay by scanning the merchant’s QR code in Alipay or WeChat Pay, or by showing your own payment code.
The exact linking rules are set by Alipay and WeChat Pay, so the steps inside those apps may change.
Shopping online in China
For Taobao, Pinduoduo, AliExpress, TEMU and SHEIN, the service lists name Visa E-commerce. Mastercard Business is confirmed for TEMU, Alibaba and other marketplaces.
Taxis and everyday services
Visa E-commerce lists Didi, Meituan Taxi, Meituan and Luckin Coffee for getting around and daily purchases.
Important: before you buy a card, check in the app that it works in China. Each card has its own list of countries where it can’t be used, and the list may be updated as international rules change. If a payment is declined in a country that isn’t on the list, contact support.
FAQ
Can I link a Rumto card to Alipay and WeChat Pay?
Alipay and WeChat Pay are in the service lists for Visa Universe and Mastercard Business. The linking terms depend on the rules of the apps themselves.
Is Visa accepted in China?
Many places in China take payments only through Alipay and WeChat Pay. A Visa or Mastercard card is how you fund those apps: link it once, then pay by QR code like local customers do.
Do I need a card to pay in China?
For Alipay and WeChat Pay, yes. In some other Asian countries you can pay by QR code straight from your Rumto balance without a card: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia and the Philippines.
When should I get the card?
Before the trip. Issue the card and top it up in advance, and check in the app where you can use it.