Tencent launches TenPayGo for foreign visitors to China

Tencent has launched TenPayGo, a payment app developed by WeChat Pay for foreign visitors travelling to China. The app allows international travellers to pay across Tencent's merchant network using Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay.

TenPayGo is available at tens of millions of restaurants and shops connected to Tencent's payments infrastructure. The launch puts Tencent in more direct competition with Alipay, operated by Ant Group.

TenPayGo combines payments with everyday digital services

The app goes beyond payment acceptance. Visitors can use TenPayGo to order food deliveries, book ride-hailing services, identify objects and translate restaurant menus.

These functions are designed to make it easier for international travellers to use the digital services that are part of everyday life in China. Many of these services are integrated into super apps such as Tencent's WeChat.

Super apps in China commonly combine payments with restaurant reservations, food delivery, transport and retail offers. Foreign travellers have often faced difficulties accessing these services without a Chinese phone number or locally issued payment method.

Tencent competes with Alipay for international travellers

Tencent is entering a segment where Ant Group already has a strong position. Ant opened Alipay to foreign visitors in 2019, when the rapid shift toward mobile payments was making it more difficult for tourists to rely on cash or international cards.

Since then, Alipay has become a common payment option for international visitors in China's largely cashless retail environment. TenPayGo gives travellers another way to access local merchants without obtaining local payment credentials.

Support for Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay allows foreign users to connect payment methods they already use to Tencent's domestic merchant network.

Inbound travel to China is increasing

The launch comes as international travel to China continues to grow. China has expanded visa-free entry to citizens of dozens of countries, including the UK, France and Spain.

Government data cited in the source shows that foreign nationals made 22.9 million inbound trips in the first half of 2026. This was 20% higher than in the same period of 2025.

APEC summit adds another factor to the launch

The timing also coincides with preparations for the APEC summit in Shenzhen. The city will become the third location in China to host the Economic Leaders' Meeting, following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014.

Tencent is headquartered in Shenzhen. The summit is expected to increase the number of international visitors arriving in the city.

China's largest payment platforms expand focus beyond domestic users

The introduction of TenPayGo means Tencent and Ant Group are competing more directly for international travellers as well as domestic users. Both companies are also expanding their services through AI-based tools and assistants.

Earlier in 2026, Ant Group reportedly began testing an AI agent platform for Alipay that could perform tasks such as booking transport or purchasing mutual funds with user approval. Tencent has also developed its own AI assistant, Xiaowei.

TenPayGo gives Tencent an additional route to serve foreign users alongside wallet interoperability, which allows travellers to make payments through apps they already use.