Weixin Pay has emerged as a popular payment option for Chinese tourists visiting other countries in recent years, and this trend saw a notable uptick during October 2025’s Golden Week. Weixin Pay transactions have increased by 21% year over year as Chinese tourists pour into Southeast Asia during this significant holiday, underscoring the growing significance of digital payments in international travel.
Greater Bay Area Leads the Surge in Weixin Pay Transactions
According to Weixin’s data, the Greater Bay Area, which encompasses Hong Kong and Macao, saw the most substantial growth in cross-border transactions. These two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) have remained the most popular destinations for mainland Chinese tourists, ranking first in Weixin Pay transaction volumes during the Golden Week period. Additionally, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which overlaps with the Golden Week, contributed to heightened transaction activity across the region.
Surge in Ride-Hailing Transactions
One of the most noticeable shifts was in the ride-hailing sector. Mainland Chinese tourists, increasingly reliant on services like DiDi, Amap, and Uber, accounted for a significant rise in ride-hailing bookings. Compared to the previous year, the volume of ride-hailing orders in Hong Kong increased more than fivefold, demonstrating the growing preference for mobile-based, seamless transport solutions among outbound Chinese travellers.
Visa-Free Travel Policies Fuel Outbound Travel
Countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand saw a marked boost in Chinese tourism due to the implementation of visa-free policies for Chinese citizens. These changes, which make travelling simpler and more accessible, have directly contributed to an increase in cross-border transactions via Weixin Pay. The ease of travel has enabled Chinese tourists to spend more freely, using mobile payment solutions like Weixin Pay for everything from meals to shopping and transportation.
Weixin Pay’s Expanding Global Reach
Weixin Pay’s influence is not limited to Southeast Asia. Other destinations, such as Japan, have also experienced substantial growth in Weixin Pay transactions. Japanese e-wallets like PayPay, auPAY, and merpay have integrated Weixin Pay, creating a more unified and seamless travel experience for Chinese tourists. In fact, Weixin Pay transactions in Japan rose by over 25%, reflecting a broader trend of cross-border collaboration in the digital payment sector.
Moreover, Weixin Mini Programs, a growing subset of Weixin Pay’s ecosystem, saw a massive surge in usage. With a 50% increase in transactions within the tourism sector and a 30% rise in the catering sector, Weixin Mini Programs are becoming a crucial tool for tourists to access local services in foreign countries. For example, the mini programmes for popular transportation options like Uber, Grab, and the Hong Kong Airport Express have simplified the travel experience for Chinese tourists, contributing to their increasing use of these platforms during their trips abroad.
Boost to Local Economies Through Weixin Mini Programs
The rapid expansion of Weixin Mini Programs has positively impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) abroad, with daily transaction volumes growing by more than 70% year on year. These digital solutions not only offer Chinese tourists a convenient way to make purchases but also provide foreign businesses with a new channel to engage with this lucrative market.
Through these mini programmes, Chinese tourists have been able to use Weixin Pay for everything from purchasing train tickets to booking local tours. International travel destinations like South Korea and Italy have leveraged these platforms, with local transportation services such as Korail in Korea and Frecciarossa and Italo trains in Italy benefiting from increased traffic due to Weixin Pay integration.
Weixin Pay Expands into 92 Countries and Regions
As Weixin Pay continues to expand its global reach, it now operates in 92 countries and regions, offering tourists a consistent and reliable payment solution across the globe. This development marks a significant milestone in the global payment landscape, highlighting the growing importance of mobile payment systems in international travel.
Inbound Tourism: Weixin Pay as a Gateway to China
Weixin Pay’s impact is not limited to outbound tourism. It is also becoming a central tool for inbound tourism to China. During the Golden Week period, the number of international tourists using Weixin Pay’s Mini Programs increased by more than 60% year on year. This growth reflects the increasing reliance of international tourists on Weixin Pay to navigate their travel experiences in China. From booking tickets for local attractions to making purchases in stores, Weixin Pay is facilitating smoother travel for international visitors.
Additionally, earlier data from the summer holiday season shows that there has been a significant uptick in the number of overseas users binding international bank cards to Weixin Pay. This trend has been particularly strong in cities like Chongqing and Chengdu, where transaction volumes have doubled compared to last year, signalling the increasing ease of making purchases in China using foreign bank cards.
Hong Kong Residents Benefit from Increased Spending in Mainland China
Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents have also taken advantage of the Golden Week holidays to explore the Chinese mainland. According to data from WeChat Pay HK, transaction volumes from Hong Kong residents spending in mainland China surged by over 120% year-on-year. This spending was particularly strong in sectors such as e-commerce, pet services, and courier services, which ranked as the top three categories by transaction growth. Additionally, entertainment and sporting events emerged as some of the fastest-growing leisure activities for Hong Kong residents visiting the mainland.
Weixin Pay’s Global Expansion Fuels Economic Growth
Chinese tourists’ growing use of Weixin Pay during Golden Week not only demonstrates the expanding impact of mobile payments in international travel but also the contribution of digital solutions to economic expansion. Millions of Chinese tourists are travelling overseas more easily thanks in large part to Weixin Pay, which makes everything from dining to shopping easier. Weixin Pay is poised to establish itself as a major player in the digital payment market, helping both travellers and companies globally with its extensive global reach and ongoing growth.
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