Wechat and Alipay: US Students' Cashless Survival Guide in China
Welcome to the cashless city Last month in a classroom at a university in Chengdu, an American grad student stood up and told the professor she’d forgotten her wallet. No problem — everyone around her scanned a QR code, transferred 20 yuan, and the hiccup was over. If that sounds normal to you, it should: cities across China have gone long on QR codes and short on bills. For United States people and students living in or heading to China, that convenience feels like both a blessing and a trap. You can get breakfast, ride-share, and pay rent with a couple of taps — provided you know which app to use, how to set it up, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes. ...