How to Use Alipay in China: Complete Guide for Foreign Travelers (2026)

AI Summary

Alipay can be used for many daily travel payments:

Shops
Restaurants
Convenience stores
Hotels
Taxis
Ride-hailing
Metro and bus services
Attractions
Food delivery
Vending machines
Mini programs
Online bookings

The basic setup is:

Download the official Alipay app.
Register with an international mobile number.
Complete identity verification if prompted.
Link an eligible international card.
Set a payment password or security method.
Test a small merchant transaction.
Add a backup card.
Keep another payment method.

Quick Answer

Prepare:

Valid passport
International phone number
Email
Eligible Visa, Mastercard, or other supported card
Card billing information
Bank authentication access
Mobile data
Backup payment method

Do the setup before arrival when possible.

Definition / Core Concept

Alipay supports two major in-store payment modes.

Scan

You scan the merchant’s QR code.

Common at:

Small restaurants
Market stalls
Independent shops
Taxis
Counter-service businesses

Pay

You display your payment code.

Common at:

Supermarkets
Chain stores
Convenience stores
Larger restaurants
Ticket counters

The merchant scans your code and the amount is processed.

Decision Tree

Can you register with your phone number?

↓

Complete the account setup.

Can you link your card?

↓

Complete bank verification.

Does the app request identity verification?

↓

Use your valid passport details.

Does the payment fail?

↓

Check card, network, limit, and merchant type.

Does a static merchant QR reject the card?

↓

Try WeChat Pay, physical card, or cash.

Is a refund missing?

↓

Check Alipay transaction details and the linked card.

Comparison Table

Alipay Function	Typical Availability for Visitors	Main Limitation
Merchant QR payment	High	Merchant or card restrictions
Payment code	High	Card or account verification
Online merchant payment	High	Mini-program compatibility
Taxi or ride-hailing	High	Service-specific verification
Metro or bus QR	City-dependent	Local activation
Personal transfer	Limited or variable	International-card restrictions
Red packets	Limited	Account and funding restrictions
Cash withdrawal	Not a standard visitor function	Use an ATM instead
Refund	Usually to original route	Processing delay

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download the official app

Use the official app store listing.

Avoid unofficial APKs, cloned apps, or links from strangers.

Step 2: Register

Enter:

Country or region code
Mobile number
SMS verification code
Account security information

Keep access to the phone number during the trip.

Step 3: Choose the correct language

The app provides multilingual support.

Some merchant mini programs remain Chinese-first.

Use screenshot or camera translation when necessary.

Step 4: Complete identity verification

The app may request:

Legal name
Passport number
Passport image
Facial verification
Date of birth
Nationality

Use the same name format as your passport and bank card where possible.

Step 5: Link a bank card

Enter:

Card number
Expiry
Security code
Billing information
Bank verification code

Enable international and online transactions before linking.

Step 6: Add a backup card

A second card should ideally come from another bank.

This reduces risk from:

Bank outage
fraud block
card limit
unsupported transaction
lost card

Step 7: Set security controls

Use:

Strong phone lock
Payment password
Biometrics
Transaction notifications
Bank alerts
Lost-phone protection

Step 8: Test a payment

Start with a small purchase.

Confirm:

Merchant name
amount
linked card
successful status
bank notification

Step 9: Scan a merchant QR code

Open Alipay.
Tap Scan.
Point at the merchant code.
Confirm merchant identity.
Enter amount if necessary.
Verify the amount.
Pay.
Show success screen if requested.

Step 10: Display your payment code

Open Alipay.
Tap Pay or the payment-code function.
Select the card if needed.
Let the cashier scan.
Confirm the amount and success.

Treat the code like a payment credential.

Step 11: Use transport functions

Depending on the city, Alipay may provide:

Metro QR
Bus QR
Taxi
Ride-hailing
Bike sharing
Train or attraction mini programs

Each city or service may require separate activation.

Step 12: Handle a failed transaction

Check:

Internet connection
app update
card status
available balance or credit
bank fraud alert
transaction limit
merchant category
identity verification
payment method selected
QR type

Retry once, then use another method.

Knowledge Blocks

Eligible international cards

Supported networks and banks can change.

A card being eligible for linking does not guarantee every transaction.

Fees

The platform, merchant, or card issuer may apply fees according to current rules and transaction amount.

Check the confirmation screen and card terms.

Limits

Possible limits include:

Single transaction
daily spending
annual spending
identity level
card issuer
merchant
service type

Personal QR codes

A small merchant may display a personal collection code rather than a standard merchant code.

International-card-linked payment may not work in every personal-transfer flow.

Mini programs

Alipay mini programs are used for:

Ordering food
ticket booking
transport
attraction reservations
hotel services

Language and foreign-card compatibility vary.

Refunds

Refunds normally return to the original payment route.

The app may show the refund before the bank posts it.

Home-country wallets

Some international wallets connected through Alipay+ may work at compatible merchants without creating a full Alipay account.

Coverage varies.

Account security

Never share:

SMS code
payment PIN
passport verification code
payment code screenshot
remote-control access

Real Examples / Scenarios

Scenario 1: Convenience store

The traveler opens Pay, the cashier scans the code, and the linked card is charged.

Scenario 2: Small restaurant

The traveler scans a table QR code, enters CNY 68, verifies the merchant, and pays.

Scenario 3: Personal code failure

The merchant uses a personal collection code that does not support the linked foreign card.

The traveler pays cash.

Scenario 4: Bank block

The first transaction triggers a fraud alert.

The traveler approves it in the bank app and retries.

Common Mistakes

Travelers often:

Register with a phone number they cannot access abroad.
Use a nickname instead of passport name.
Link only one card.
Ignore bank authentication.
Show the payment code to strangers.
Enter the amount before checking merchant name.
Assume every mini program supports English.
Treat a failed personal transfer as total Alipay failure.
Have no cash.
Ignore limits.
Delete transaction records.
Install the app from an unofficial source.

FAQ

Which card should I link?

An eligible card with international and online transactions enabled.

Can I change the payment card?

Yes, according to app options.

Why does the card link but payment fail?

Merchant type, bank control, limit, or service restrictions may differ.

Can I get a refund?

Usually through the original transaction route.

Can I use Alipay without mobile data?

Payment generally requires connectivity, though some code flows may have limited offline behavior. Keep data available.

Is the app in English?

Core visitor functions have multilingual support, while some mini programs may not.

Can someone else set it up for me?

Protect your own identity and payment credentials.

What if I lose my phone?

Freeze cards, secure the account, contact Alipay and your bank, and use backup payment.

Key Takeaways

Set up Alipay before travel.
Use passport-consistent identity information.
Link at least two cards when possible.
Learn Scan and Pay.
Confirm merchant and amount.
Personal QR and mini-program support can vary.
Keep WeChat Pay, a card, and cash as backups.
DeepTrip can help solve the exact point where the payment flow breaks.

Sources / Trust Note

Alipay features, supported cards, fees, limits, verification, and mini-program rules can change.

Primary references include:

Alipay official website: https://www.alipay.com/
Chinese government payment guide for overseas visitors: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/11/content_WS6617c858c6d0868f4e8e5f4d.html
Current in-app terms and card-issuer rules

Verify the latest details inside the official app.