Traveling to China without Alipay can be a major challenge. More than 80% of daily transactions there happen through digital payment apps, not cards, not cash. Alipay is the main solution, and the good news is that foreign travelers can now activate it without a Chinese bank account.
What Is Alipay and Why Do You Need It?
Alipay is a digital wallet app created by Alibaba Group with over 1.3 billion users. In China, it's used for almost everything: paying for food, taking the metro, ordering taxis, buying train tickets, even online shopping. Many places, including popular coffee chains like Luckin Coffee, only accept digital payments and don't have card machines or cash change. Without Alipay, your options become very limited.
Activate Before You Leave, Here's Why
Activating Alipay in your home country is far easier than after arriving in China. Internet is more stable, you can verify without rushing, and you can test your international card before actually needing it. Travel experts and official guides like WildChina and ChinaEase Travel Guide both recommend completing your Alipay setup well before departure to avoid technical issues on the ground.
How to Activate Alipay: Step by Step
Download the App
Download Alipay from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). When installed outside China, it automatically appears in the international version with an English interface.
Create an Account with Your Phone Number
- Open the app and select the sign-up option
- Enter your active international phone number
- Enter the verification code sent via SMS
- A Chinese phone number is not required
Verify Your Identity (Real-Name Verification)
This is an important step to unlock higher transaction limits. Here's how:
- Go to Account > Settings > Account & Security > Identity Information
- Upload or scan a clear photo of your passport
- Verification usually completes within hours, maximum 72 hours
After verification, your annual transaction limit increases to the equivalent of USD 50,000, with a USD 5,000 per-transaction limit.
Add Your International Card
- Go to Account > Bank Cards > Add
- Enter your card number, expiry date, and CVV
- Verify through an OTP from your card-issuing bank
- It's recommended to add at least two cards as backup
Supported cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover, and UnionPay.
Tip: Some transactions might be declined depending on your bank's policies. If one card fails, try another before panicking.
Alipay Top Up: TourCard Option for Travelers
If your international card encounters issues at some merchants, there's an alternative solution called TourCard—a virtual prepaid card issued by Bank of Shanghai accessible directly from within the Alipay app.
How to Activate TourCard
- Search "TourCard" in the Alipay search bar
- Open the TourCard mini-program
- Verify your identity using passport information (name, number, birthdate, expiry)
- Activate location permissions—the system requires confirmation you're in mainland China
- Top up your balance using Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Diners Club
What you should know about TourCard:
- Top-up fee is around 5% of the amount loaded
- Maximum top-up during one year: 50,000 RMB
- Only usable for transactions in mainland China
- Doesn't support peer-to-peer transfers (P2P), digital red envelopes, or investment products
- TourCard activation only works after arriving in China
Since TourCard can only be activated within China, linking your international card directly is still recommended as the primary step to complete before departure.
Transaction Fees to Know
Understanding fee structures helps travelers budget more accurately:
- Free for transactions under 200 RMB
- 3% fee for transactions over 200 RMB using an international card
- 5% top-up fee if using TourCard
- Your card-issuing bank might charge additional currency conversion fees (usually 1–3%)
- Alipay itself doesn't charge conversion fees
How to Pay with Alipay in China
After your account is active and your card is linked, paying in China is very simple. There are two main ways:
Merchant Scans Your QR Code
Open Alipay, tap Pay/Receive, then display the barcode on your screen. The cashier will scan your code to complete the transaction.
You Scan the Merchant's QR Code
Tap the Scan icon on Alipay's main page, point your camera at the merchant's QR code, enter the amount if prompted, then confirm payment.
Alipay for Public Transportation
In major cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, Alipay is integrated with public transit systems. Use the Transport menu on the main page, and Alipay will detect your city and suggest activating a local digital transit card.
Note: For Beijing metro, some lines require a local ID. Alternatively, buy an anonymous Yi Ka Tong physical card at a station counter.
Alipay Login and Account Security
To keep your Alipay account secure:
- Enable biometric verification (fingerprint or Face ID)
- Use a strong 6-digit payment password you'll remember
- Avoid making transactions on public WiFi networks
- If you have issues, contact customer service via the headset icon in the app or call hotline 95188
Alipay Plus: What's the Difference?
Alipay+ is a cross-border payment platform allowing digital wallet users from various countries to pay at merchants connected to the Alipay+ network. It's different from regular Alipay—Alipay+ targets global merchants wanting to accept payments from partner app users like GCash, TrueMoney, or Kakao Pay.
For travelers visiting China, you need the standard Alipay app, not Alipay+.
Summary: Alipay Activation Checklist Before You Leave
Save this checklist before going to China:
- Download Alipay from App Store or Google Play
- Register using your international phone number
- Complete identity verification with your passport
- Add at least one international card (Visa/Mastercard)
- Test a small transaction to ensure your card works
- Save Alipay customer service number: 95188
- Prepare a backup card or cash as backup
Alipay Needs Stable Internet Connection
All Alipay features—from scanning QR codes to payment verification to TourCard activation—depend entirely on internet connectivity. In China, access to foreign networks can be limited, so keep your phone connected throughout your trip.
One of the most practical solutions is using an eSIM China from Global Komunika. Supported by China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom with 4G LTE/5G speeds, this eSIM is ready to use as soon as you arrive in China without needing to swap your physical SIM card. Tethering and personal hotspot are also available—perfect for full-day connectivity needs.
Ready to Pay Like a Local
With Alipay active on your phone, traveling to China becomes much smoother. No need to worry about cash change, ticket machine lines, or cards being rejected at local restaurants. One app is enough for almost everything—from your morning coffee to intercity train tickets.
