[2023 Update] How to Set up and Use AliPay When Traveling in China

Alipay is one of the main payment methods for Chinese daily life, and also a must-have for foreign visitors.

With Alipay you can pay for flights, train/metro tickets, hotels, restaurants, taxis etc. How to set up and use Alipay is the top question I get from foreign friends visiting China.

Here I've researched and put together the latest guide on setting up and using Alipay as a foreigner.

I believe it can give you some help!

Let's get started.

A mainland China SIM card is highly necessary.

Not only does it solve many people's problem of not receiving verification codes, it also allows registering for various services in China.

Must Have

China SIM Card

Easily register for various services in China

Receiving SMS Free

One-time payment

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If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Note: I recommend you be sure to keep your Chinese phone number if you expect to travel to China many times.

There Are Now Two Ways to Set up Alipay Payment

Before setting up Alipay payment, you need to download and install Alipay, and register an account with your passport.

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For foreigners, be sure to download the Alipay international version.

You can verify your identity with your passport and a China phone number.

After that comes setting the payment method.

Here are the detailed steps:

1. Directly link your overseas card to Alipay(Recommend)

Requirements:

1. Identity Document

• Passport — For most tourists, this option works.
• Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
• Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
• Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
• Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
• Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents

2. Card Requirement(Credit or debit cards are fine)

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Discover
• JCB
• Diners Club
• And other international cards

3. Phone Number

The phone number when setting payment method should be your bank card's number, not the one used for your Alipay account registration.

Step 1 : Add your credit or debit card

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Step 2: Set the payment password and fill in the card information

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Step 3: Enter your passport info and do a face scan verification

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After completing those, you can make payments with Alipay in China.

Next, I'll introduce another Alipay payment option.

2. Set up Alipay payment with TourCard

TourCard is the second popular way to set up Alipay. It's a virtual bank account by Shanghai Bank that works like a prepaid card, and can be an Alipay payment card.

Requirements:

1. Identity Document

• Passport — For most tourists, this option works.
• Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card
• Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
• Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents
• Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
• Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents

2. Card Requirement(Credit or debit cards are fine)

• Visa
• Mastercard
• JCB
• Diners Club

3. Phone Number

You don't need a mainland China (+86) number. Any overseas number that can receive SMS verification codes works.

However, some people report being unable to receive the verification codes. I'm not sure why yet. In this case you can purchase a mainland China SMS card on Amazon.

How to Register for TourCard?

Step 1: Search for TourCard and open the mini program

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Step 2: Enter phone number and upload passport photo

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Step 3: Facial recognition verification

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Step 4: Fill in passport number, home address, etc

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How to Top up the Tourcard?

After registering TourCard, you need to top it up.

Here's a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Select the top-up amount

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Step 2: Link your credit or debit card

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Step 3: Complete 3D security authentication and set a one-time password

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Step 4: Set the payment password and you're done

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Finally, link TourCard to your Alipay and you can use it as your payment card.

How to Link Tourcard to Alipay?

Step 1: Click on the ‘BankCard'

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Step 2: Enter the TourCard number, passport number, etc

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Congratulations, you did it!

Now you can use Alipay for payments worry-free when traveling in China.

Important Notes of TourCard

1.The TourCard is valid for 180 days. After it expires you'll need to apply for a new card.

2.You have a max top up limit of 10,000 RMB(1,388 USD) within 180 days.

3.TourCard charges a 5% fee, plus around 1.5% overseas transaction fee from your credit card. So the total TourCard fee can be up to 6.5%!

Pro-tips for Set up Alipay

1. You can only add cards that belong to you.

Alipay has strict account security limits. If you add someone else's card to Alipay, you might trigger an account review and risk your account being disabled.

How to Use Alipay in China?

Basically, Alipay can cover most of your payment scenarios in China.

Here are the most common situations:

1.Process payment via Alipay in-store.

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These two options are actually the same, there is no difference in fees. You can choose based on your preference.

Personally, I prefer to actively scan their QR code, so I can enter the amount myself and make sure they don't overcharge me(Although it rarely happens).

2.Use alipay to take the Metro

Using Alipay to ride the subway is very smooth. No need to buy a separate metro card or tickets every time.

Just scan the QR code when entering and exiting the station. But each city has its own metro ride code. When riding the subway in different cities, you need to use different codes.

Luckily, applying is easy and free.

Here’s how to activate and use your metro card on Alipay:

1.Tap ‘Transport' on the Alipay home page

2.Select your city, then click ‘Get Now'.

3.Review and accept the Terms & Conditions, then click ‘Agree and obtain card'.

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Each fare will automatically deduct from your Alipay payment card and you'll get payment notifications.

Pro-tips for using Alipay to pay

1.Remember to turn off the VPN when you pay.

2.Sometimes scanning a merchant's QR code will fail payment because they don't support international card transactions. Especially roadside stalls, souvenir shops at scenic spots, taxi drivers, etc.

What Are the Benefits of Alipay?

In China, pretty much everyone has Alipay. It's embedded in every aspect of Chinese society.

As a foreign tourist, having Alipay lets you enjoy many benefits too.

1. Convenience: Leave your wallet behind – with a smartphone, you can traverse the entire country of China without the annoyances of physical currency. No more fake bills or fumbling for coins!
2. Security: Alipay safeguards your funds and offers full coverage for fraudulent charges. You can also clearly track spending with detailed statements, so feel at ease using your money.
3. Wide acceptance: Nearly every retailer accepts Alipay – you need not worry about awkward payment failures (though some small businesses may only take WeChat Pay).
4. Variety of Services: Alipay doesn't just handle payments – book travel, hail rides, pay metro fare, reserve hotels, and other conveniences via its all-in-one app.

What Are the Disadvantages of Alipay?

Though Alipay has many perks, it can be complicated for foreign visitors – expect a learning curve to set up and use it properly.

1. The English version is imperfect: Though Alipay offers an English beta version, many services and mini-programs within it lack translations – this can prove challenging for non-Chinese-speaking foreigners.
2. Vulnerable to policy changes: The Chinese government wields immense control over Alipay – support for foreigners fluctuates frequently as directives from officials bring frequent changes.

Just a reminder that WeChat Pay is also one of the main payment methods in China.

You can learn how to set up and use Wechat Pay here.

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