Tencent, the Chinese internet and gaming company behind Weixin, is internally testing TenPayGo, a mobile app for overseas visitors that combines payments with travel, dining, and shopping services.

The test suggests Tencent is developing a dedicated product for inbound travelers after earlier expanding payment access through Weixin Pay.

In 2023, the company said it was gradually opening its merchant network in China to international cards from Visa, American Express, Discover Global Network, JCB, and Mastercard.

Foreign travelers can already link overseas cards to Weixin Pay for QR-code purchases and other services.

However, some functions, including transfers, remain unavailable. Transactions above 200 yuan (US$29) also incur a 3% fee and are capped at 6,000 yuan (US$880) per transaction.

Rival Alipay also lets overseas visitors pay in mainland China through linked bank cards and some partner e-wallets.

Tencent’s test comes as China expands entry policies, including a 240-hour visa-free transit scheme.

Inbound tourism to China reached 132 million visits in 2024, with US$94.2 billion in spending.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg