Quick answer: Alipay is the closest thing to an essential app for foreign visitors in China – and how to use Alipay in China as a foreigner is one of the most common questions we receive. It handles payments (scan to pay anywhere from street stalls to department stores), transport (metro and bus QR codes in most cities), and mini-programs for booking attractions, ordering food, and renting shared bikes. Foreigners can now link international Visa, Mastercard, and other major cards directly to Alipay – no Chinese bank account required. Set it up before your flight.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Alipay’s foreign card support continues to improve but policies and verification steps can change.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Alipay for Foreign Visitors
- Download Alipay from your app store (iOS App Store or Google Play) before leaving home.
- Sign up with your phone number – your home country number works. If you are not using a local SIM, see what still works when traveling in China without a Chinese phone number.
- Verify your identity: Go to Me -> Settings -> Account and Security -> Identity Information. Upload a photo of your passport information page. Verification usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
- Add your card: Go to Me -> Bank Cards -> Add Card. Enter your international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or other supported card. A small verification charge may appear and be refunded.
- Test it: Try paying RMB 1 to a friend or scanning a test QR code before leaving home.
How to Test Alipay Before Your Flight
Do not wait until your first meal in China to discover that Alipay verification failed or your foreign card is blocked. After adding your card, test Alipay before your flight with a small, legitimate transaction or a clearly refundable travel purchase. The goal is not to buy something you do not need; the goal is to confirm that your passport verification, card link, SMS code, and bank approval all work before you land.
Option 1: Check card verification first
Open Alipay, go to your bank cards, and confirm the card shows as active. Some banks send a small authorization or verification message when a new card is linked. If your bank blocks that step, call the bank before departure and ask them to allow Alipay / Ant Group transactions for your China trip.
Option 2: Use a small real transaction if available
If you have access to a trusted Alipay mini-program or travel service before departure, use the smallest practical transaction you genuinely understand. Some travelers test with a low-cost or refundable ticket-style purchase, but only do this if the refund terms are clearly shown in English or you are comfortable reading the conditions. Do not assume every small booking automatically refunds.
Option 3: Prepare a Plan B if the test fails
If Alipay passport verification is not working, your SMS verification code never arrives, or Alipay will not accept your card, prepare backups before flying: set up WeChat Pay, carry some RMB cash, notify your bank, and use English-friendly booking platforms for trains, hotels, or attraction tickets where local QR payment may fail.
What Alipay Can Do for Travelers
- Pay everywhere: Street stalls, restaurants, supermarkets, taxis, metro ticket machines – Alipay’s QR code payment is universal in urban China.
- Metro and bus: Go to the Transport section, select your city, and generate a transit QR code. Different cities need different codes – the app handles this automatically.
- Shared bikes: Scan a bike’s QR code to unlock it. Hello Bike (哈啰) and Meituan bikes both work through Alipay.
- Order food: Many restaurants use Alipay mini-programs for table ordering – scan the table QR, order on your phone, pay immediately.
- Book attractions: Some tourist sites accept Alipay for ticket booking. Not all – Forbidden City still needs separate booking.
- Translation: Alipay has a built-in translate function – useful for menus and signs.
Common Problems
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Verification stuck | Make sure your passport photo is clear (all four corners visible). Try again during China business hours. |
| Card not accepted | Try a different card. Some issuing banks block Alipay charges. Notify your bank of China travel. |
| Payment declined | Check that the card is still active and has sufficient limit. Some small transactions may trigger fraud alerts. |
| App in Chinese | Go to Me -> Settings -> General -> Language -> English. If this doesn’t work, use the search bar (it accepts English). |
FAQ
Can I use Alipay, WeChat, or DiDi with a foreign phone number?
Yes, Alipay works with a foreign phone number for most short-term visitors. You can register with your international number, verify your passport, and link a Visa or Mastercard without a Chinese SIM. WeChat Pay is more inconsistent: some travelers complete setup with a foreign number and card, while others run into extra verification. DiDi can often be used with a foreign number, especially through the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay. The practical approach is to set up Alipay before arrival, try WeChat Pay as a backup, and use DiDi through Alipay if the standalone app is difficult. You do not normally need a Chinese phone number for basic tourist payments and ride-hailing, but some local services and support flows work more smoothly with a mainland number. For the full breakdown, see our guide to traveling in China without a Chinese phone number.
What Alipay is actually used for during a China trip
Alipay is not only a payment app. For travelers, it is a survival tool: scan-to-pay at restaurants and shops, metro and bus QR codes, taxi and ride-hailing links, attraction mini-programs, shared bikes, food ordering and hotel deposits. If you only set up one China payment app before departure, start with Alipay, then add WeChat Pay as a backup.
| Use case | Where it helps | Backup if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and street food | Scan merchant QR code or show your pay code | Cash or WeChat Pay |
| Metro and bus | Transport QR code in many cities | Station ticket machine or transport card |
| Attraction tickets | Mini-programs and QR payments | Trip.com/Klook or official ticket counter if available |
| Taxis and ride hailing | Payment and mini-programs | Hotel front desk helps call a taxi |
| Convenience stores | Best place to test your setup | International card sometimes works, cash usually works |
First thing to do after setup: test it with a small purchase
Do not wait until a busy restaurant to discover your card is not working. After you land, go to a convenience store, buy water, and pay with Alipay. If it works, you can trust it for most small daily payments. If it fails, fix it while you are calm, connected and near your hotel.
If Alipay rejects your foreign card
- Check whether the card supports international online payments.
- Try a second Visa or Mastercard from a different bank.
- Turn off VPN temporarily if verification pages fail to load.
- Confirm your passport name and card name are entered consistently.
- Call the bank or approve the security alert in your banking app.
- Keep WeChat Pay and some cash as backup.
Alipay links you should set up before travel days
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Before long sightseeing or train days, make sure Alipay is ready together with your China arrival paperwork, Amap navigation, subway plan, and no Chinese phone number backup. Payment problems are easier when maps and internet already work. For data before you land, a China eSIM (Airalo) means Alipay setup and maps work from the moment you arrive.
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Alipay wording for foreign visitors
Searches for how to use Alipay in China, what is Alipay used for, American Express Alipay digital payments China, and foreigner Alipay setup all point to the same task: link a supported card, verify identity if asked, and test a small payment before relying on it for taxis, restaurants, and shops.