How to Pay Utility Bills in China
Published: April 29, 2026
Short Answer
Paying utility bills in China is remarkably simple thanks to WeChat Pay and Alipay. Most bills -- electricity, water, gas, and internet -- can be paid directly through these apps with just your account number. In most cases, bills are automatically deducted or you receive a notification and pay with a few taps. If you rent, your landlord may handle some bills, but it is still useful to know how the system works.
Smartphone showing mobile payment interface
Deep Dive
Electricity (电费, diànfèi)
Electricity is the most common utility bill foreigners pay directly. The system works as follows:
How it works:
- Each apartment has an electricity meter with a unique account number
- Bills are calculated monthly based on usage
- Rates vary by city and are tiered (higher usage = higher rate per kWh)
- Typical rates: 0.5-0.8 RMB per kWh for residential use
Paying through WeChat:
- Open WeChat → "Me" → "Services" → "Utilities" (生活缴费)
- Select "Electricity" (电费)
- Enter your account number (found on your electricity bill or ask your landlord)
- Confirm the amount and pay
Paying through Alipay:
- Open Alipay → "Utilities" (生活缴费)
- Select "Electricity" (电费)
- Enter your account number
- Confirm and pay
Prepaid vs. postpaid:
- Some apartments use prepaid electricity cards (电卡, diànkǎi). You load money onto the card at a convenience store or through Alipay, then insert it into your meter.
- Postpaid systems send bills monthly, and you pay after receiving the bill.
Tips:
- Keep your account number saved in your phone
- Set up payment reminders in WeChat or Alipay
- Monitor usage through the State Grid app (国家电网) if available in your area
Water (水费, shuǐfèi)
Water bills are typically lower than electricity:
How it works:
- Bills are usually monthly or bimonthly
- Rates are tiered based on usage
- Typical residential rate: 3-5 RMB per cubic meter
Payment methods:
- Same as electricity: through WeChat or Alipay utilities section
- Some buildings have water meters that work with prepaid cards
- Your landlord may include water in your rent
Usage tips:
- Average household uses 3-5 cubic meters per month
- Water is generally safe to drink after boiling in most cities
- Many expats use water filters or buy bottled water for drinking
Gas (燃气, ránqì)
Gas is used for cooking and sometimes heating in China:
How it works:
- Natural gas is piped to most urban apartments
- Bills are monthly based on meter readings
- Rates: 2-4 RMB per cubic meter
- Some older buildings use bottled gas tanks
Payment methods:
- WeChat and Alipay utilities section
- Gas company offices or designated payment points
- Some cities have prepaid gas cards
Safety notes:
- Ensure gas appliances are properly maintained
- Install a gas detector (many apartments come with one)
- Report gas leaks immediately to your gas company
Internet and Mobile
Home internet:
- Major providers: China Telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile
- Monthly cost: 100-200 RMB for 100-300 Mbps
- Installation is quick, usually within a week
- Pay through the provider's app, WeChat, or Alipay
Mobile phone:
- Monthly plans: 50-150 RMB depending on data and call minutes
- Pay through carrier apps, WeChat, or Alipay
- Auto-pay is available for all carriers
Setting Up Auto-Pay
Both WeChat and Alipay allow you to set up automatic payments:
WeChat auto-pay:
- Go to "Services" → "Utilities"
- Select the bill type
- Enter your account number
- Enable "Auto-pay" (自动缴费)
Alipay auto-pay:
- Go to "Utilities"
- Select bill type
- Enter account number
- Enable "Auto-debit" (自动扣款)
What Your Landlord Covers
In many rental situations, your landlord may handle some utilities:
- Rent inclusive: Some rentals include water, gas, and internet in the rent. Check your contract.
- Separate billing: Most commonly, you pay electricity and internet separately, while water and gas may be included.
- Meter readings: Ask your landlord to show you the meter readings when you move in to avoid paying for previous tenants' usage.
Common Issues and Solutions
- Bill not showing in app: Your account number may be wrong, or the bill has not been generated yet. Wait a few days or contact the utility company.
- Unexpected high bills: Check for leaks, ensure appliances are off when not in use, and verify meter readings.
- Moving out: Settle all bills before moving out and get confirmation from your landlord.
- Language barrier: Ask a Chinese friend to help set up your accounts initially. Once set up, the apps are easy to use.