China has one of the most developed digital payment ecosystems in the world. Cards exist, but they are not the primary method of payment. Daily commerce runs on wallets, QR codes, and bank-linked systems that feel almost invisible to users. For merchants entering or scaling in this market, the challenge is not demand. It is payment processing that actually works the way Chinese consumers expect.

This is where payment gateways in China must do more than just process transactions. They must support both local payment methods in China and global alternative payment methods for cross-border commerce. This blog talks about the reality of digital payments in China, why integrating alternative payment methods in China is important, and much more.

The Reality of Digital Payments in China

China does not operate as a card-first economy. It is a mobile-first, QR-code-driven, and wallet-controlled economy where speed and familiarity are the decisive factors in conversions.

The foundation of digital payments in China depends on:

• Alipay payment gateway for everyday commerce, online shopping, and bill payments
• WeChat Pay payment gateway, which is deeply integrated into social and mini-app ecosystems
• UnionPay online payments for bank-backed domestic and international transactions
• QR code payments in China, which are used everywhere from luxury malls to street vendors

For merchants, it implies that simply accepting credit cards or international wallets is not enough. For them to succeed, they should be able to process local and alternative payment methods in China via a payment system that seems local.

Why Merchants Struggle With Payment Processing in China

Despite China’s advanced infrastructure, many global merchants face friction when entering the market.

Common challenges include:

• Separate integrations for Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay
• Complex compliance and onboarding requirements
• Fragmented settlement and reconciliation
• Limited visibility across wallets and QR payments
• Poor checkout experience for mobile users

Traditional providers often treat China as a “special case” rather than a core market. As a result, merchants end up juggling multiple providers instead of using a multi-method payment gateway in China.

Why Alternative Payment Methods Matter in China

While local wallets dominate, alternative payment methods in China play a growing role, especially for cross-border and international use cases.

APMs matter because:

• Cross-border buyers avoid traditional bank rails
• International merchants need higher acceptance rates
• Digital services require flexible payment options
• Global brands need consistency across regions

A strong APM payment gateway in China supports wallets, QR flows, bank transfers, and region-specific methods under one checkout. This is essential for merchants targeting both domestic and international customers.

Also read about: Payment Gateways in Malaysia Offering Both APMs and Local Payment Methods 

The Need for a Unified Checkout in China

The biggest gap today is fragmentation. Merchants do not need more payment options. They need fewer systems.

A unified checkout for merchants targeting China allows businesses to:

• Support Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, and APMs together
• Offer optimized mobile and QR-based experiences
• Reduce checkout abandonment
• Centralize settlements and reporting
• Scale across ecommerce, apps, and subscriptions

This is why payment gateways in China supporting both APMs and local payment methods are becoming the preferred choice for focused merchants.

Choosing the Right Payment Gateway for China

China’s payment system requires a high degree of accuracy. The merchants involved need a system that understands local requirements while supporting global commerce.

The right solution should:

• Support local payment methods in China
• Offer a reliable APM payment gateway in China
• Enable online payment solutions supporting wallets and QR payments
• Reduce complexity with a unified checkout

TransFi Checkout delivers this balance by combining local relevance with global scalability.

Exploring TransFi Checkout: A Unified Payment Gateway for China-Focused Merchants

TransFi Checkout is a modern Chinese payment gateway with APM support built for businesses that need both local depth and global reach.

With TransFi Checkout, merchants get:

• Alipay payment gateway and WeChat Pay payment gateway in one checkout
• Support for UnionPay online payments
• Wallet-first and QR code payments in China
• Cross-border alternative payment methods in China that buyers use
• Multi-currency settlements and unified reporting
• One-click integrations for major e-commerce sites like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and Wix
• Global compliance and enterprise-grade security

Instead of stitching together multiple providers, TransFi Checkout acts as a multi-method payment gateway in China businesses can scale with.

How to Get Started With TransFi for Payments in China 

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Sign up
   Create an account and fill in the required details.
   
2. Complete onboarding
   Do KYC and KYB verification to unlock payment processing capabilities.
   
3. Integrate checkout
   Choose APIs, hosted checkout, or no-code payment links.
   
4. Accept payments
   Start accepting Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, and APMs instantly.
   
5. Manage settlements
   Track transactions, settlements, and reconciliation from one dashboard.

This setup makes TransFi Checkout one of the best payment gateways for AliPay and WeChat Pay along with other APM support.

Local Payment Methods in China Supported by TransFi

Alipay Payment Gateway

The strength of AliPay is evident in both online and offline transactions within China. Whether it is for shopping or subscription payments, AliPay is a basic facility for consumers. TransFi Checkout supports Alipay and offers fast QR flows, mobile optimization, and smooth refunds.

WeChat Pay Payment Gateway

WeChat Pay is more than a wallet. It is deeply integrated into social interactions, messaging, and mini-programs. Merchants using a WeChat Pay payment gateway benefit from smooth in-app payments and higher conversion rates.

UnionPay Online Payments

UnionPay remains critical for bank-linked payments and controlled financial flows. For many businesses, UnionPay online payments act as the bridge between domestic and international China payment processing.

Together, these form the foundation of local payment methods in China. Sign up today at TransFi Checkout to ensure that no customers are lost due to unfamiliar payment methods.

Also read about: Payment Gateways in Singapore Supporting Both APMs and Local Payment Method

Final Thoughts

China is not a market you can “adapt to later.” Payments must work from day one. Merchants that invest early in payment gateways in China designed for wallets, QR codes, and APMs see higher conversions and faster growth.

By using a unified system such as TransFi Checkout that supports both local payment methods in China and alternative payment methods that Chinese demand, businesses can scale confidently in one of the world’s most competitive digital economies.

If you are someone struggling with high cart abandonments and looking forward to scaling your business across geographies, sign up at TransFi Checkout right away!

FAQs

1. What are the main local payment methods in China?
   Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay online payments form the core of local payment methods that China relies on.
   
2. Do payment gateways in China support APMs?
   Yes, modern platforms like TransFi Checkout operate as a Chinese payment gateway with APM support.
   
3. Why are QR code payments so important in China?
   QR code payments are important in China because they are fast, mobile-first, and deeply embedded in daily life.
   
4. Can international merchants accept Chinese wallets?
   Yes, with the right payment gateway for Alipay and WeChat Pay, international merchants can accept local and alternative payment methods in China. TransFi Checkout is one of the best available options.
   
5. What is the advantage of a unified payment gateway?
   A unified checkout reduces integration complexity, improves conversion rates, and simplifies payment processing across wallets, APMs, and QR payments.