How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreign Tourist?

You can use Alipay in mainland China with an international phone number and an eligible overseas bank card. Once set up, you can pay at shops and restaurants by scanning a merchant’s QR code or showing your payment code. You do not need a Chinese bank account for these everyday purchases!

Set up the app before you travel, keep access to your bank’s verification messages, and carry a backup payment method. Here’s how to get started, what fees to expect and what to do if a payment fails.

How to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner?

Have your phone, bank card and passport ready. You’ll also need an internet connection and access to the phone number you use to register.

1. Download the Alipay App and create your account

• iOS: App Store
• Android: Google Play or Official Website
• Install and open the app

Download Alipay from the App Store, Google Play or Alipay’s official download channel. Open the app, choose your country or region code and register with your mobile number. Enter the verification code when it arrives.

An international number works, you do not need to buy a Chinese SIM just to register. Choose English or the international version if prompted

How to Create an Alipay Account?

• Tap "Sign Up". (Multiple sign up methods: international mobile phone number, Taobao, Apple, email.)
• Choose your country or region, like "+44, +65, +852" etc.
• Enter international phone number.
• Verify with SMS code.
• Set secure password

2. Add your international bank card

Look for Add bank card on the home screen, or open Me/Account → Bank Cards. Menu names may vary by app version.

1. Tap Add bank card or the + button.

2. Enter the card details requested on screen.

3. Complete any verification required by your card issuer, such as an SMS code or approval in your banking app.

4. Set a payment password if prompted.

5. Verify if the card appears in your account.

Eligible cards include Visa and Mastercard; American Express is also supported. Acceptance depends on the card and its issuer, so follow the app’s eligibility prompts. If linking fails, contact your bank or try another eligible card

3. Complete identity verification when requested

Alipay may ask for your passport details and additional identity checks. Follow the in-app instructions and enter your information accurately.

Some lower-value payments can be available without full identity verification, so a passport check is not necessarily required before every user can add a card or make a first payment. Complete verification when requested to access the services and limits available to your account.

How to Pay with Alipay in China?

Alipay supports 4 payment methods: first, Scan (scan the merchant's QR code); second, Pay/Receive (show your QR code to pay); third, Tap to Pay (NFC near field induction payment); and fourth, Online Payment (select Alipay as the payment method on the shopping website or APP, and the system will jump to Alipay for confirmation.)

For most purchases, you will use one of two QR-code methods. The difference is who scans whose phone.

1. Scan the merchant’s QR code

Use this when the cashier points to an Alipay payment code at the counter.

1. Open Alipay and tap Scan.
2. Scan the merchant’s payment QR code.
3. Enter the amount if it has not already been filled in.
4. Check the merchant name, amount, selected card and any service fee.
5. Confirm the payment and check that it succeeded.

If you enter the amount yourself, confirm it with the seller before paying.

2. Show your payment QR code

Use this when the cashier has a scanner and asks to scan your phone.

Open Pay or the payment-code option within Pay/Receive, select your payment method if needed, and show the code to the cashier. Check the transaction afterwards.

Use your payment code, not your receive-money code. A receive-money code serves a different purpose and is not what a cashier needs to charge your purchase.

3. Tap to Pay

Alipay Tap (Tap to Pay) is an NFC near-field induction payment method. Users only need to bring their mobile phones close to the merchant's NFC tag machine to quickly complete the payment without scanning the code or entering the amount. In addition, there are discounts for using Alipay's "Tap to Pay".

• The phone supports NFC (most Android/iPhone models).
• The Alipay App has been upgraded to the latest version.
• NFC permission enabled (Settings → General → NFC).

4. Pay online or inside an app

At a supported checkout, select Alipay and follow the prompts to authorise payment. Check that your linked card is available for that particular order: adding a card does not mean it can fund every service inside Alipay.

• Select "Alipay payment" on the e-commerce platform (Taobao, Meituan, etc.) or in the APP.
• Automatically jump to Alipay to confirm the order and complete the payment.
• Support cross-border payment bound to international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard).

Alipay Fees and Limits for Foreign Cards

For overseas-card payments, the standard service-fee structure is:

For example, a RMB 300 purchase would have a RMB 9 service fee under the standard rule, not just 3% of the amount above RMB 200. Your bank may charge separately for currency conversion or an overseas transaction.

Review the total before confirming. Card-specific terms or promotions may change the fee shown. Your card scheme and issuing bank determine the exchange rate for international-card payments.

Published guidance gives overseas visitors payment limits of up to US$5,000 per transaction and US$50,000 annually. Your usable limit may be lower depending on verification, your bank and the payment service. Check the app rather than assuming the maximum applies to your account.

How to Use Alipay for Public Transport in China?

In supported cities, Alipay can generate a transport QR code for buses or the metro.

Open the Alipay App → ➊ Tap "Transport" → ➋ Select "Metro in Your City" → ➌ Activate "Metro QR Code" → Click "Get Now" → Agree to the terms → ➍ Scan at the Gate

You can switch between different modes of transport, such as bus, metro, taxi, train, etc.

For metro journeys, use the same activated service when entering and leaving. Bus scanning requirements vary, so follow the instructions on board. Check the service again when you change cities; activation and overseas-card support can differ.

If activation fails, use the operator’s alternative ticketing options. Your ordinary shopping payment code is not a substitute for an activated transport code.

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What if Alipay Does Not Work in China?

Always keep a second payment option available, like a bank card in your wallet. A linked card can work at one merchant and be unavailable for another transaction. Use Alipay’s in-app customer service for account-specific problems.

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