About Alipay:

Currently, China is rapidly developing towards a cashless society, and mobile payment is a significant area of this transformation. In China, almost all cities allow you to live normally without cash or even a bank card. Over 90% of daily transactions and payments are completed through mobile applications, covering everything from everyday expenses to food delivery, train tickets, airline tickets, and admission tickets for attractions. Nowadays, it’s hard to find even a single cash note on a young person in China, as they typically complete all transactions using mobile payment methods. Alipay is the pioneer of this technological revolution. In this article, we will share a complete guide on how to set up and use Alipay as a foreign tourist, allowing you to navigate China with ease.

Installing the Alipay App

The Alipay app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We recommend that you install and set up the app before entering China so that you can use it immediately upon arrival. The Alipay app currently only offers Chinese and English versions. If your operating system is not set to Chinese, the default language will be English.

Registration

To create and register a new Alipay account, you need a valid mobile phone number. Follow the prompts to enter your phone number and input the verification code you receive (via SMS or a recorded phone call). Next, you will need to set a password following the prompts.

Verification

According to the changes announced in March 2024, you can spend up to $2,000 per year without registering your identity card. For transactions exceeding $500, you will be required to provide an identity card to verify your Alipay account, so please carry your passport or ID with you. Once you register and verify your Alipay account, your annual transaction limit will increase to $50,000, with a single transaction limit of $5,000.

Top-up/Linking Your Bank Account

There are two main ways to link your bank card to Alipay. The first is the direct method, where payments are made on demand, and the app directly charges your bank card. The second method is the pre-paid system called “TourCard,” designed specifically for short-term tourists. This allows you to add funds to your Alipay account. Both options are available for international tourists without a Chinese bank account. Please continue reading to find out which method best suits your needs.

Option 1: Directly Link Your Bank Card

Starting in 2023, Alipay allows users to add international payment cards. Click “Add Now” to link your bank card. You will first need to set a 6-digit payment password. Remember this password, as you will need it when making payments. After setting the password, you can choose to scan your card (by clicking the camera icon) or enter the card information directly. The app supports VISA, MasterCard, Diner's Club, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay cards.  

It is worth noting that it's currently not guaranteed that all cards can be linked, so if you encounter issues, it’s best to try another card. Once you successfully register a card, you can start making payments, and you will need to enter your 6-digit payment password for each transaction. If you have activated facial recognition, you can pay using facial scanning after the first transaction without needing to enter the password again. (Note: Facial scanning is only supported on iPhone 11 or later devices.)

Option 2: Prepaid TourCard Alipay Account

Alipay also has a mini-program called TourCard. The advantage of this feature is that it allows you to set up a temporary virtual local bank account valid for 180 days with a total top-up limit of 10,000 RMB (note: a 5% service fee will be charged for each top-up).

To activate the TourCard, enter “TourCard” in the search box at the top of the app screen. You will see the TourCard mini-program icon. Click on the icon and follow the instructions to register. You will need to have your ID card or passport ready as the TourCard mini-program requires verification.

In short, TourCard is a prepaid function that allows you to deposit a maximum of 10,000 RMB into your Alipay account during your stay (10,000 RMB is the maximum amount for the initial 180 days). TourCard currently supports VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club International, and JCB.

Once you complete the above steps, you can start using Alipay to make payments to merchants.

Using TourCard is similar to using an overseas card linked through Option 1; you cannot transfer to or from individuals, and transactions are limited to payments to merchants, both online and in physical stores.

Using Alipay for Payments

Now that you are ready, the next steps are quick and smooth. When making payments to merchants, you will have two options:

1. Merchant scans your QR code: Whenever you need to pay, click the "Pay/Receive" icon at the top of the screen. This will display your QR code, which the merchant can scan to deduct the correct amount from your card. Simply show your phone to the merchant, and they will scan it.

2. You scan the merchant's QR code: In this case, click the “Scan” icon next to the "Pay/Receive" icon at the top of the screen to scan the merchant's QR code. Sometimes you may need to ask the merchant for their QR code. From here, you’ll enjoy a smooth payment experience.

If you are shopping online, select Alipay as your payment method during checkout, and you will be redirected to the Alipay app to complete the transaction. If shopping from a desktop, a QR code will typically be displayed at checkout, which you can scan with the Alipay app to complete the payment.

Limitations

While Alipay allows you to pay merchants, please note that not all features of Alipay are available to international tourists. For example, point-to-point transactions are unavailable for international users. Additionally, depending on the security policies of your home bank, you may need to provide the card’s CVC code and other security verifications to complete certain transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Alipay safe?

Yes, Alipay is considered a secure and reliable payment platform. By following best practices for digital security, you can enjoy a secure experience while making payments with Alipay.

2. Can't I use my bank card or cash directly?

China is currently undergoing a rapid transformation towards a cashless and cardless transaction society. Only large malls typically use credit card readers, and not all accept payments from international payment networks/methods like VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay, etc. However, due to legal requirements, all merchants cannot refuse cash payments, though some small vendors may not have sufficient change to provide for cash transactions.

3. Can I link a foreign card to Alipay?

Yes, you can. Follow the steps detailed in this article to link your card. The app currently supports VISA, Mastercard, Diner’s Club, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay cards.

4. How long does the Alipay identity verification process take?

Approximately within 30 minutes.

5. What are the transaction limits?

The minimum transaction amount is 10 RMB, approximately $1.4. Unverified account holders can spend up to $2,000 per year, while verified users can spend up to $50,000 per year. Verified users have a single transaction limit of $5,000.

6. What is the top-up limit for TourCard?

The top-up limit for TourCard is 10,000 RMB within 180 days. If your funds run out during this period, your TourCard account will be closed, and you will need to wait until the 180 days are over to open a new account. Meanwhile, you can directly link a bank card to Alipay and make payments according to Option 1 in this article. We recommend that visitors entering China under the 144-hour visa-free policy use TourCard.

7. How do I close my account?

If you want to close your Alipay account, simply go to “Settings” (the gear icon in the upper right corner), click on “Account and Security,” and select “Account Deletion” to remove your account and personal information.

What other apps can I use for payments in China?

WeChat Pay is another widely used mobile payment platform in China. However, its payment setup may not be available while you are outside China and might only become available once you enter China (you can check their official guide: https://www.tencent.com/en-us/media/weixin-pay.html ).