Alipay
China's other major payment app. Travelers can use the 'Tour Pass' mini-program.
What Alipay is
Alipay is one of China's two dominant mobile payment apps, used for everything from restaurants and shops to transit and ride-hailing. For visitors, the key feature is the ability to link an international card and pay via QR code, which has become far easier than it once was as China has opened mobile payments to foreign cards.
What it does for travelers
- ✓Scan-to-pay and show-QR payments accepted across most shops and restaurants in China
- ✓Supports linking major international credit and debit cards for visitors
- ✓Built-in mini-programs for transit, ride-hailing, and other services
- ✓In-app translation and an English interface for travelers
- ✓Can cover situations where cash is rarely accepted
Good to know
- Requires a phone number for verification and an internet connection to make payments
- Foreign cards are supported, though small transactions are typically fee-free while larger ones may carry a fee
- You must set up and verify your account and card before you can pay; do this before you travel if possible
- Primarily useful inside mainland China rather than as a global wallet
Tips from the road
- Set up the app and link your card before arriving, since verification can be slow on patchy airport Wi-Fi
- Keep a small amount of cash as a fallback for vendors who occasionally can't process foreign-card payments
- Look for transit and ride-hailing mini-programs inside the app to avoid downloading separate apps
- Top vendors expect you to either scan their code or show yours, so learn both flows
When to reach for it
Use Alipay when traveling in China, where cash and foreign cards are often impractical and QR payment is the norm. It is the most accessible mobile wallet for visitors alongside WeChat Pay.
Travelers use Alipay in
Alipay — frequently asked
Can foreigners use Alipay in China now?
Yes. Alipay supports linking many international credit and debit cards, letting visitors pay by QR code at most merchants without a Chinese bank account.
Are there fees for using a foreign card on Alipay?
Small transactions are generally fee-free, while larger payments may incur a percentage fee. Check current terms in the app, as thresholds can change.
Do I need Alipay if I already have WeChat Pay?
Not strictly, since both are widely accepted. Some travelers set up both as a backup in case one card linkage fails or a particular merchant prefers one.