Side by side
Alipay vs Tabelog
Alipay
29 positive (97%) · 1 mixed (3%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +96%
AI summary — not a quote
Alipay is considered an essential 'super app' for travelers in mainland China, where digital payments have largely replaced cash. Users report it is highly reliable for everything from luxury mall purchases to street food, and it serves as a central hub for essential services like ride-hailing, public transport, and translation.
Pros
- Supports international credit cards and registration with foreign phone numbers
- All-in-one functionality including Didi (ride-hailing), metro cards, and restaurant ordering
- Widely accepted across China, even by small street vendors
- Includes built-in translation features for text, voice, and images
Cons
- The interface and setup process can be clunky at times
- Requires invasive identity verification, including passport and face scans
Top excerpts
1. Download every single app you can for China: WeChat, AliPay, Amap, DiDi, Baidu for starters, Meituan, EleMe for food delivery and a good translate app apart from Google (microsoft should work, even deepseek). REGISTER for these apps BEFORE reaching China, so put your passport details, put your credit card info and all of that.
You need WeChat and Alipay. I just got back from China and there was ZERO places taking cash, I travelled Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Dujiangyan
Amap, Alipay, AND WeChat all have ride hailing built in.
for foreign people Alipay can be linked with any International Card now, you can also register with a foreign number.
Download AliPay and link your credit cards in advance, else you want be able to pay for anything, you can also generate a metro card within the app. There is a Didi mini-app within AliPay so you can easily order a car if needed.
Tabelog
33 positive (87%) · 3 mixed (8%) · 2 negative (5%)
Trust + time weighted: +82%
Top excerpts
also, do use the website tabelog for places to eat if you want authentic. most google reviews are left by tourists so...take those with a pinch of salt.
I'd suggest going to Tabelog and use their reservation system to find a restaurant for the day(s) you want for 22 people, and specify that you will have children.
Regarding stalls and restaurants, you should definitely check Tabelog
we're just gonna look on Tabelog for whats good nearby
Avoid restaurants that plaster "English Menu" at the front unless it's highly rated (3.5 and up) on Tabelog. Tabelog is the japanese equivalent to Yelp or Tripadvisor just way more harsh and honest.