Whether you're already in China or still planning the trip, one rule outlasts every guidebook: you need Alipay. In a country where cash and physical cards are fading fast, this "super app" has grown far beyond payment, woven deep into merchants, malls, and public transit across the country.
Master Alipay, and you master everyday spending in China.
on my first morning in Hangzhou, i wanted a coffee and had no cash, honestly, i opened Alipay, scanned the little code on the counter, and the ¥18 showed up and cleared before the barista finished the cup. that small moment is why i tell every visitor to set it up before the plane lands.
If you're coming to study or work, download the app and bind your card before you land. Some on-arrival steps, insurance payments, health checks, only accept online transfers through Alipay, and won't take cash or foreign wire transfers.
Alipay
If WeChat grew out of social, Alipay grew out of finance, an all-around life manager woven deep into merchants, malls, and public transit across China. Most visitors end up running both, and our WeChat walkthrough covers the other half.
1. Download & register
Search "Alipay" in the App Store or Google Play, download the official app (blue icon). Open it, tap "Sign Up", and choose the international version to log in with your phone number.
2. Add a payment method
Link a card. On the Alipay home page, tap "Add Card" to enter the bank card binding page. Have the following ready before you start:
- Bank card number
- Cardholder name (as shown on the card)
- Passport or ID document information
- Phone number
Alipay supports most major international credit and debit cards, including:
Visa、Mastercard、Discover、JCB、Diners Club
Tour Pass, a prepaid option for short-term visitors. If you'd rather not link a card, or your card isn't accepted, Alipay offers "Tour Pass" (search it on the home page). It's a virtual prepaid account: you top up a lump sum with an international card, then spend from that balance at any Alipay-accepting merchant. It's designed for tourists staying a few weeks, no bank card binding, no leftover account. Keep in mind: a small service fee applies on top-ups, the balance can't be withdrawn, and the pass usually expires after 90 days.
Tour Pass works well for a few weeks, but the top-up fees and the 90-day expiry add up if you're settling in. A local account lifts most of those limits, and our guide to opening a Chinese bank account lists what each bank asks for at the counter.
it is not always as frictionless as the demo. my first card got declined twice, then a passport photo upload failed in bad light, i was annoyed, stepped outside, and the facial check passed on the second try. a tip that saved me: bind the card and run one tiny payment while still on hotel wifi, before you depend on it on a busy street.
3. Pay with Alipay
Once your card is linked or Tour Pass is loaded, you can pay anywhere Alipay is accepted. Two main methods:
Scan to pay. When a merchant shows a QR code, tap "Scan" on the home page, scan it, enter the amount, and confirm.
Show payment code. At a supermarket or convenience store, tap "Pay", show your dynamic code, and let the cashier scan it.
Public transit. Tap "Transport" on the home page, claim your city's transit code, and scan it at the turnstile, no more ticket queues.
Where you can use it
Once Alipay is set up, you can use it almost everywhere in China:
- Restaurants and cafes
- Shopping malls and boutiques
- Supermarkets and convenience stores
- Taxis and ride-hailing, including hailing a DiDi
- Attraction tickets and tours
- Online shopping, including paying on Taobao
- Hotels and accommodation
- Entertainment and leisure, any offline QR-code payment scenario
beyond the scan, a few things make Alipay feel local. transit codes ride the metro and bus with one tap, and the "Transfer" tab splits dinner bills with friends in seconds. a coffee runs ¥18 to ¥35, a supermarket run about ¥40 to ¥80, and most in-store scans carry no extra fee, the exchange rate is just baked into the charge on your card. when you're not sure which metro line to take, pair the transit code with our notes on planning a route with AMap.
Common questions about Alipay for foreigners
Can I use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?
Yes. Choose the international version when you sign up, register with your phone number, then bind an international card, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club are all supported. If your card won't bind, Tour Pass (below) is the fallback.
Why does my card fail to bind in Alipay?
Common reasons include: the card doesn't support cross-border payments; the name on the card doesn't match your passport; the bank has blocked overseas transactions; or phone verification failed. Double-check each of these and retry.
Do I need a Chinese phone number for Alipay?
Not necessarily, you can register and verify with an overseas phone number. However, some features may vary by region.
Are there spending limits on Alipay with a foreign card?
Yes. Alipay sets per-transaction and annual limits for international card payments. The exact amounts depend on Alipay's latest policy and your card issuer's rules.
What is Alipay Tour Pass, and should I use it?
It's a virtual prepaid account for short-term visitors: top up a lump sum with an international card, then spend from that balance anywhere Alipay is accepted. Worth it if your card won't bind, but know the trade-offs, a small service fee applies on top-ups, the balance can't be withdrawn, and the pass usually expires after 90 days.
Why does Alipay real-name verification fail?
Make sure your name matches your passport format (Surname Given Name) and upload your passport info page (and visa page, if you have one). If it still fails, contact support for manual review.
How do I unfreeze a blocked Alipay account?
Submit your passport, entry stamps, and proof of a China address (hotel or rental). Manual review takes 3–5 business days.
How do I pay for the metro or bus with Alipay?
Tap "Transport" on the home page, claim your city's transit code, and scan it at the turnstile. It skips the ticket queue entirely.
Can I withdraw my Alipay balance to a foreign bank account?
No, balances funded by foreign cards can't be withdrawn; they have to be spent.