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Navigating Payment Methods in China: A Challenge for Russian Tourists
China's payment landscape can be a complex maze for foreign tourists, particularly those from Russia. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on local payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, which often present challenges for non-residents.
Yulia, a tourist from Russia, found herself in a predicament during her trip to China. The lack of acceptance of UnionPay, the Chinese counterpart to Visa and Mastercard, forced her to rely on cash for payments. This was a common issue for Russian tourists, as cards issued by banks such as Rosselkhozbank and the Asian-Pacific Bank in Russia are operational in China, but their usage is limited.
Nikita, a graduate of a Chinese university, shared a similar experience. Alipay accounts are widely accepted in China, but users face difficulties in topping up their accounts due to the lack of Russian card acceptance. Sberbank, a Russian bank, does offer a function to top up Alipay from a ruble account, but it comes with a commission.
WeChat Pay, another popular payment method in China, requires registration via a passport and cannot be used without a Chinese confirmation. This further complicates matters for Russian tourists.
Cash usage in China is rare, accounting for around 4% in 2023, but it might be the only option for tourists in certain situations. However, sellers might refuse cash payments if they don't have change, as cash isn't widely used.
Interacting with locals to transfer money and use it on behalf is a potential solution, but the legality is questionable. Ruble to yuan exchange is mainly available in large cities in China.
Since 2022, Russian cards of the Visa and Mastercard systems cannot be used abroad, adding another layer of complexity to the payment issue. Alisa, a Russian tourist, used a Kazakh card during her trip to China due to problems with money transfer.
The "Clear with us" Telegram channel (Ъ FM) might provide valuable insights for Russian tourists navigating China's payment infrastructure. However, currently, there are no publicly available sources specifically listing Russian banks cooperating with Alipay to enable Russian tourists to load their Alipay accounts.
Recent partnerships of Alipay have focused on other countries and regions, but no mention was found about direct collaboration with Russian banks for this service. Payments via QR codes in China are replacing card payments, making it crucial for tourists to adapt to this method.
Despite these challenges, it's important for Russian tourists to be aware of the payment landscape in China and plan accordingly. Cash, while not widely used, can be a viable option in certain situations. However, understanding the local payment systems and finding alternatives, such as using cards issued by local banks or exchanging rubles in large cities, can help ensure a smoother trip.
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