How to Use Alipay in China: An Ultimate Guide

For foreigners traveling, working, or studying in China, cashless payments are non-negotiable—and Alipay (Zhī fù bǎo) is the backbone of this system. With over 1.3 billion active users, Alipay isn’t just a payment app: it lets you pay for meals, taxis, shopping, and even utility bills, plus book flights or buy subway tickets. The good news? Setting up and using Alipay as a foreigner is easier than you think—no Chinese bank account or local phone number is always required.

1. First: Download Alipay (English Version Available!)

Where to Get the Alipay App

International App Stores: Alipay’s global version (with English interface) is available on the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Search for “Alipay” – look for the blue icon with a white “A.”
In Mainland China: If you can’t access Google Play, ask your hotel front desk or local friend to download it via Huawei AppGallery or Xiaomi GetApps (it’s free).

Switch to English (No Chinese Skills Needed)

Open Alipay and tap the “Me” tab (profile icon in the bottom right).
Tap the gear icon ⚙️ for “Settings.”
Select “Language” and choose English. The entire app (menus, payment screens, notifications) will update instantly.

2. Sign Up for Alipay: 2 Options for Foreigners

Alipay offers two sign-up paths for international users—choose the one that fits your situation:

Option 1: Sign Up with a Foreign Phone Number (Easiest for Tourists)

This method requires no Chinese bank account and works for short trips:

On the login screen, tap “Sign Up” and select your country/region (e.g., “United States,” “United Kingdom”).
Enter your foreign phone number (include the country code, like +1 for the US).
Verify via SMS: You’ll receive a 6-digit code – enter it to confirm.
Set a password (8–20 characters, mix of letters and numbers) and tap “Complete Sign Up.”

Pro Tip: Save your phone number in the app—you’ll need it to log in later.

Option 2: Sign Up with a Chinese Bank Account (For Long-Term Stays)

If you’re working or studying in China and have a local bank account (linked to your residence permit), this unlocks full Alipay features:

Follow steps 1–3 above (use your foreign or Chinese phone number).
Go to “Me” > “Bank Cards” > “Add Bank Card.”
Enter your Chinese bank card number and personal info (name as it appears on the card, ID type: “Foreign Passport” or “Residence Permit”).
Verify via bank SMS or in-app code—once done, you can use your Chinese bank balance for payments.

3. Add Alipay Payment Methods: Use Foreign Cards or Tourist Wallet

The biggest question for foreigners: “Can I use my international credit/debit card?” Yes! Alipay supports major cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Here’s how to add them:

Step 1: Add a Foreign Credit/Debit Card

Tap “Me” > “Bank Cards” > “Add Bank Card.”
Select “International Card” (instead of “Chinese Card”).
Enter your card details: Card number, expiry date, CVV, and cardholder name (exact match with your passport).
Verify via SMS/email from your bank (Alipay will charge a tiny test fee, usually $0.01, which is refunded within 24 hours).

Note: Some foreign banks block overseas transactions by default—call your bank first to enable “China-based payments” to avoid declines.

Step 2: Use Alipay’s “Tourist Wallet” (For Short Trips)

If you don’t want to link a card, Alipay’s Tourist Wallet lets you load money via:

International bank transfer (small fees apply, takes 1–3 days).
Cash deposit at partner locations (e.g., China Merchants Bank branches) – ask staff for “Alipay Tourist Wallet Deposit.”

The Tourist Wallet has a monthly limit of ¥5,000 (around $700) – perfect for tourist expenses like meals, shopping, or taxis.

4. How to Use Alipay for Daily Payments

Once set up, paying with Alipay is simple—most places in China (restaurants, shops, taxis) accept it via QR codes:

Scanning a Merchant’s QR Code (To Pay)

Open Alipay and tap the “Scan” icon (top right corner).
Point your phone’s camera at the merchant’s Alipay QR code (usually displayed at the checkout counter).
Enter the amount to pay (merchants may enter it for you) and tap “Pay.”
Confirm with your password, fingerprint, or face ID (you set this up during sign-up).

Example: Buying a coffee for ¥25 – scan the café’s QR code, enter 25, and pay in 2 seconds.

Showing Your QR Code (For Merchants to Scan)

Some small vendors (e.g., street food stalls) will scan your QR code instead:

Open Alipay and tap “Pay” (bottom center) to pull up your personal QR code.
Let the merchant scan it with their device – the payment will go through automatically.
You’ll get a notification with the transaction details (check it to avoid overcharging).

Paying for Taxis/Rideshares

For Didi (China’s Uber), link your Alipay to the Didi app – fares are deducted automatically after your ride.
For regular taxis, ask the driver if they accept Alipay, then scan their QR code or show yours.

5. Useful Features for Foreigners

Alipay isn’t just for payments—it has tools that make life in China easier:

Book Flights/Trains

Tap “Flights” or “Trains” on the Alipay homepage to search and book tickets. You can pay with your foreign card and get e-tickets sent to your phone (no need to print!).

Buy Subway/Bus Tickets

In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, use Alipay’s “Metro” feature:

Search “Metro Card” in Alipay.
Select your city (e.g., “Shanghai Metro”) and tap “Activate.”
Use your phone to scan the QR code at subway turnstiles – no need to buy a physical card.

Order Food Delivery

Link Alipay to Meituan Waimai (food delivery) via the “Food” tab. Order meals from local restaurants and pay with your linked card – delivery takes 30 minutes on average.

Exchange Currency (For Cash Needs)

If you need cash, use Alipay’s “Currency Exchange” feature:

Go to “Me” > “Wallet” > “Currency Exchange.”
Convert your foreign currency (e.g., USD to CNY) and transfer it to the Tourist Wallet.
Withdraw cash at ATMs marked with “Alipay” (most major banks in China have these).

6. Common Issues & How to Fix Them

1: Payment Declined

Why? Your foreign bank blocked the transaction, or your card details are entered incorrectly.
Fix: Call your bank to enable China payments, or double-check your card number/expiry date in Alipay.

2: Can’t Find English Option

Why? You downloaded the Chinese domestic version of Alipay (not the global one).
Fix: Delete the app and re-download from the Apple App Store/Google Play (look for “Alipay Global”).

3: Tourist Wallet Limit Reached

Why? The Tourist Wallet has a ¥5,000 monthly cap.
Fix: Link a foreign credit card to bypass the limit, or wait for the next month to reload.

7. Final Tips for Alipay Success

Save Your QR Code to Photos: For frequent payments, take a screenshot of your Alipay payment QR code (it doesn’t expire) – useful if the app loads slowly.
Check Exchange Rates: Alipay uses real-time rates, but compare with your bank’s fees to avoid surprises.
Keep the App Updated: New features (like better English support) are added regularly – update Alipay in the app store to get them.

Conclusion

Alipay is a game-changer for foreigners in China—it eliminates the need to carry cash and makes navigating daily life seamless. By following this guide, you’ll be paying for snacks, taxis, and tickets like a local in minutes. Whether you’re in Beijing for a week or Shanghai for a year, Alipay is your key to a stress-free cashless experience.

Ready to start? Download Alipay now!

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