China - AliPay and booking attractions
Discussion
Hi All
I received some very useful suggestions last time I posted requesting info on Visas for a possible China trip so thought I would try again now it is getting closer (next month). We have the Visa's and the trip is next month.
Has anyone successfully been able to load up AliPay in advance of going to China? I have linked my master card (I think) but ideally I wanted to transfer some funds into my AliPay account so that I already have positive balance so to speak to avoid the 3% service charge and then the credit card fees on top.
I had a (Chinese) friend transfer me 1 Yen and I can see it pending but cannot claim it - it says I need to authorise my account which needs a Chinese bank card. There seems to be no other way of authorising....
Secondly - seems there is a need to book attraction tickets for everything such as Tiananmen Square for example, these need to be booked day before but it seems impossible to do so. Have looked on Wechat and AliPay apps. How did you manage it?
Lastly - eSIM and VPN. Any suggestions as to which will work?
Thanks in advance
I received some very useful suggestions last time I posted requesting info on Visas for a possible China trip so thought I would try again now it is getting closer (next month). We have the Visa's and the trip is next month.
Has anyone successfully been able to load up AliPay in advance of going to China? I have linked my master card (I think) but ideally I wanted to transfer some funds into my AliPay account so that I already have positive balance so to speak to avoid the 3% service charge and then the credit card fees on top.
I had a (Chinese) friend transfer me 1 Yen and I can see it pending but cannot claim it - it says I need to authorise my account which needs a Chinese bank card. There seems to be no other way of authorising....
Secondly - seems there is a need to book attraction tickets for everything such as Tiananmen Square for example, these need to be booked day before but it seems impossible to do so. Have looked on Wechat and AliPay apps. How did you manage it?
Lastly - eSIM and VPN. Any suggestions as to which will work?
Thanks in advance
You can't load money onto your alipay unless you have a chinese ID and bank account. When you pay it charges your credit card.
Get wechat pay working too.
If you need to run a test, you can google for a charity that accepts alipay and wechat pay and donate 1rmb to them by scanning the qr.
Esim- three hong kong is the most cost effective option. 45gb for 20gbp plus you get a hk number which can be useful
vpn - lets vpn.
Get wechat pay working too.
If you need to run a test, you can google for a charity that accepts alipay and wechat pay and donate 1rmb to them by scanning the qr.
Esim- three hong kong is the most cost effective option. 45gb for 20gbp plus you get a hk number which can be useful
vpn - lets vpn.
pj4d said:
You can't load money onto your alipay unless you have a chinese ID and bank account. When you pay it charges your credit card.
Get wechat pay working too.
If you need to run a test, you can google for a charity that accepts alipay and wechat pay and donate 1rmb to them by scanning the qr.
Esim- three hong kong is the most cost effective option. 45gb for 20gbp plus you get a hk number which can be useful
vpn - lets vpn.
Thats awesome, thanks for that. I was hoping that would not be the case with alipay as that seems to be recommended and has less issues. I have managed to get someone to transfer some funds to me on wechat pay and successfully donated to China Heart Foundation Get wechat pay working too.
If you need to run a test, you can google for a charity that accepts alipay and wechat pay and donate 1rmb to them by scanning the qr.
Esim- three hong kong is the most cost effective option. 45gb for 20gbp plus you get a hk number which can be useful
vpn - lets vpn.
VPN up and running, charges for that seem sensible and will wait until less than 30 days to end of trup before taking out the eSIM.
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