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Paying with Alipay in China: real experience from chats

Short answer
Russian-issued UnionPay cards have limited reliability in China and should be used primarily for ATM withdrawals or POS payments when available. Travelers should rely on Alipay or WeChat for most transactions by generating city-specific transport QR codes and using the scan-to-pay feature to avoid bank authorization issues.

From real experience

Russian-issued UnionPay cards (like RSHB) have limited acceptance in China.
They generally do not work for direct Alipay/WeChat wallet top-ups. However, they can be used for: 1) Withdrawing cash at ATMs. 2) Direct payments via terminal (if the shop has an old-fashioned POS terminal). 3) Sometimes as a payment method inside the WeChat/Alipay apps for specific merchants. Direct QR-code payment via Russian card QR is generally not supported.
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For long layovers in Shanghai, note that most malls close by 22:00. Travel time from Pudong Airport (PVG) to the city center is approximately 40 minutes one way.
Alipay is the primary payment method for tourists; it can be topped up via Russian banks for use with DiDi (taxi) and local merchants. Many shops in central districts may be closed late at night.
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UnionPay cards issued by Russian banks (like RSHB) may intermittently fail in China for both POS payments and ATM withdrawals.
It is recommended to carry cash (yuan) as a backup and maintain active Alipay/WeChat accounts. Do not trust direct-message 'helpers' as they are often scammers.
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Using Alipay for Chinese public transport: 1. Generate a specific transport QR code within the Alipay app for each city/transit system.
2. Some transit systems require scanning both at entry and exit gates. 3. Generally, one Alipay account can only be used for one person's fare per trip, though some cities like Shanghai may allow multiple scans.
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For public transport in China, users can generate city-specific QR codes within WeChat and Alipay.
In WeChat, search for '乘车码' (Transport Code) or use the app's transport mini-programs to activate a ride code. In Alipay, the 'Transport' section automatically detects the city and enables a scannable QR code. These codes are linked to the user's primary payment method.
✓ 1 report from chats
To avoid bank authorization prompts during Alipay payments (when showing your QR code to a merchant), use the 'Scan' feature to scan the merchant's QR code and enter the amount manually.
This often bypasses additional 3D Secure or bank authorization steps. Keep a balance in the Alipay wallet for seamless transactions.
✓ 1 report from chats

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