Internet, vpn and use one alipay account to buy two tickets

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to China with my partner. It's clear to me that I'll have to buy a local esim/sim (and in this case a vpn) and download alipay and wechat (by the way... are both necessary?), but I was wondering... will I be able to pay for entrance fees or transport tickets for both of us? Is it possible, for example, to buy two train tickets for two people from the same account or should we have two "active" cell phones?

Thanks a lot to anyone who can answer.

Answer

Traveling in China digitally is different from many other countries, as most services—including transport, tickets, and payments—rely heavily on apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Here’s a detailed guide for your questions:

Internet and VPN:

Yes, you will need a local SIM or eSIM to access mobile data reliably.
A VPN is required if you want to access Google, Gmail, Google Maps, or any other services blocked in China.
With mobile data, you can use both Alipay and WeChat Pay efficiently, which are essential for most digital payments.

Alipay and WeChat:

You don’t strictly need both, but having both gives flexibility: some merchants or ticket services accept only one of the two.
Alipay is widely accepted for train tickets, entrance fees, taxis, and even small restaurants. WeChat is similarly accepted but some services may be exclusive to one platform.

Using one account for two people:

Yes, it is possible to buy tickets for multiple people using one Alipay account or one WeChat Pay account.
For trains, you can enter the ID card numbers of both passengers and pay from the same account. You do not need separate phones for each passenger.
For entrance fees or other tickets, most attractions will allow multiple tickets to be purchased in one transaction with different IDs or names.

Tips:

Make sure both passengers’ ID information is ready and matches the ticket booking requirements.
Link your Alipay account with a Chinese bank card or international credit card that supports Alipay top-up, as this simplifies payments.
Download the official apps in advance and set up accounts before traveling to China, as verification is easier outside the country.
Some train stations still require QR codes to be scanned with the phone at entry, so both travelers need to have the ticket QR code on a mobile device, which can be shared from the same account.

In summary, you can manage most travel and entrance needs with one Alipay account and one phone, but ensure both travelers’ information is correctly entered and both devices can display the tickets or QR codes for smooth access.

Internet, vpn and use one alipay account to buy two tickets

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