Mini-Programs (WeChat & Alipay)
What are mini-programs in China?
Mini-programs are lightweight applications that run inside WeChat and Alipay. They do not require separate downloads from the App Store or Google Play. For foreigners, they solve the biggest friction point in China: accessing local services without a Chinese phone number or bank account. That said, a few services still gate sign-up behind a +86 number — see when you actually need a Chinese phone number.
Key advantages for foreigners:
- Inherit your WeChat Pay or Alipay payment method automatically (foreign Visa/Mastercard works)
- No Chinese phone number required
- No SMS verification needed (unlike standalone apps)
- No deposit required for services like bike-sharing
- Built-in translation (tap ··· → Translate) supports 18 languages; available since late 2024
How do I open a mini-program?
- Open WeChat or Alipay
- Use the search bar to find the mini-program by name (Chinese characters work best; copy-paste recommended)
- Allow location permissions when prompted
- Payment connects automatically via your linked card
Pin frequently used mini-programs for instant access from the home screen.
Which mini-programs are essential for travelers in China?
Transport: DiDi (滴滴出行)
Ride-hailing with English interface. Search ‘滴滴出行’ in WeChat/Alipay, or download the standalone “DiDi - Rider” app (not “DiDi Rider”, which is for outside China). Register with foreign phone number, add international credit card. Book rides in English, pay automatically.
The mini-program version avoids phone verification issues that sometimes occur with the standalone app.
Transport: Metro Apps
Each major city has its own metro mini-program. Process is the same everywhere: search → connect payment → generate QR code → scan at turnstile entry and exit → payment auto-deducts.
| City | Mini-Program Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 大都会 (Metro Daduhui) | — |
| Guangzhou | 广州地铁 | — |
| Shenzhen | 深圳地铁 | Passport Lane at many stations |
| Chengdu | 成都地铁 | Metro goes near the Panda Base |
Note: Mini-programs are city-specific. When traveling between cities, you need to set up each city’s metro mini-program separately (takes about 3 minutes).
Transport: Bike-Sharing
- Hellobike (哈啰单车): Search in Alipay or WeChat. Scan QR code on bike to unlock, ride, lock to end. Usually 1-2 RMB per ride.
- Meituan Bike: Inside the Meituan mini-program; look for bike icon.
No deposit required for foreigners through mini-programs. Alipay often shows bike options directly on its homepage.
Tips:
- Push lock firmly until you hear a click to end ride
- If bike won’t unlock, cancel in app and try another (no charge for failed unlocks)
- Report broken bikes in the app and manually end ride with a photo
Entertainment: Damai (大麦)
China’s main event ticketing platform. Search ‘大麦’ in WeChat/Alipay. Covers concerts, musicals, sports, comedy, exhibitions, indie gigs, and arena tours.
Tickets are digital: show QR code at venue with your passport. Interface is mostly Chinese but navigable with the built-in translate feature.
Entertainment: Maoyan (猫眼)
Movie and performance ticketing. Search ‘猫眼’ in WeChat/Alipay. Browse currently playing movies, select theater and seats, pay, receive digital ticket.
Useful for finding theaters with English subtitles. Beijing and Shanghai have English comedy nights listed on Maoyan.
Food Delivery: Meituan Waimai (美团外卖)
Search ‘美团外卖’ in WeChat or Alipay. Allow location permission to see nearby restaurants. Order food for delivery to your hotel or location.
Food Delivery: 淘宝闪购 (formerly 饿了么/Ele.me)
Alibaba-owned, integrates with Alipay. Search ‘淘宝闪购’ or ‘饿了么’ (old name still works) in Alipay or look for the icon on the homepage. Rebranded from “饿了么” in December 2025. Works identically to Meituan once set up. See Eleme.
Why isn’t a mini-program working?
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Payment failed | Check Alipay/WeChat Pay card is valid; try switching payment method |
| Chinese phone number requested | Use mini-program version instead of standalone app |
| Interface in Chinese only | Tap ··· → Translate (翻译); update app if option missing |
| No internet for QR codes | Mini-programs cache briefly but need connection for QR and payments; get an SIM Card |
Do mini-programs need a VPN or Chinese number?
Mini-programs need internet to generate QR codes and process payments. Get an eSIM or local SIM before relying on them. See SIM Card for options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are WeChat and Alipay mini-programs?
- They are lightweight apps that run inside WeChat or Alipay — for ride-hailing, food delivery, metro tickets, bike-sharing and event ticketing — so you don't need to install separate apps. Open one by searching for it by name (Chinese characters work best) in WeChat or Alipay; payment connects automatically via your linked card.
- Do mini-programs require a Chinese phone number?
- Usually not. A key advantage of mini-programs is that most avoid the Chinese phone number and SMS verification that standalone apps often require — they run inside WeChat or Alipay and inherit your linked payment method, so a foreign Visa or Mastercard is enough. The DiDi mini-program, for example, sidesteps the phone-verification issues the standalone DiDi app sometimes has. A few services do still gate sign-up behind a +86 number, so it is not universal.
- How do I order a taxi without the DiDi app?
- Use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat — it works without installing DiDi or having a Chinese phone number, and pays through your wallet.
- Can I use mini-programs in English?
- Some do (DiDi has an English interface), but many are Chinese-only. To navigate those, use the host app's built-in translate feature — in WeChat or Alipay, tap ··· → Translate (翻译), which supports 18 languages. Update the app if the option is missing.
Related Guides
Mobile Payment for Foreign Visitors (Alipay, WeChat Pay)
Foreign visitors can bind a Visa/Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay since the April 2024 PBOC policy. 0% fee under ¥200, 3% over, plus how to fix failed payments. Updated May 2026.
Verified Jul 17, 2026
Transportation in China
How to get around China: 12306 trains in English, metro multi-day passes (Beijing Yitongxing ¥20/3 days), foreign-card tap-to-ride, DiDi, and Amap. Updated June 2026.
Verified Jun 9, 2026
SIM Card and eSIM in China for Foreign Visitors
eSIM vs SIM vs roaming for China: which foreign eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi) bypass the firewall with no VPN as of June 2026, plus when you need a +86 number.
Verified Jul 1, 2026
Attraction Ticketing & Admissions in China
China attraction tickets: real-name passport entry, daily caps and time slots, and how early to book the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and pandas. Updated 2026.
Verified Jun 4, 2026