Alipay is one of the most widely accepted payment methods in China. For most travelers, Alipay can cover nearly all daily payments during their trip.
Before You Start
Please prepare:
- A smartphone
- A valid passport
- A mobile phone number
- Internet access
- A bank card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club. American Express support may be limited.)
2.1 How to Set Up Alipay Before Your Trip to China
Step 1. Download Alipay
Download Alipay from:
- App Store (iPhone)
- Google Play (Android)
Search for:
Alipay
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Step 2. Register Your Account
Open the app and create an account using:
- An international phone number
- An email address
After entering your phone number, you will receive a verification code via SMS.
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Step 3. Verify Your Identity
To use Alipay’s payment services, identity verification may be required.
You may need to provide:
- Passport information
- Personal details
- Face verification (if requested)
Make sure your passport information matches your travel document.
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Step 4. Add a Payment Method
Navigate to:
Me → Bank Cards
Follow the instructions provided in the app.
Once successfully added, your payment method will be ready to use.
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For more details, please refer to the official guide:
https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20240312/f2968c5dcb2d41c895643afa9219ce89.html
2.2 How to Pay with Alipay
There are two common ways to pay. In most cases, simply follow the merchant’s instructions.
Option A: Scan a Merchant QR Code
- Open Alipay.
- Tap “Scan”.
- Scan the merchant’s QR code.
- Confirm the payment.
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Option B: Show Your Payment Code
- Open Alipay.
- Tap “Pay/Receive”.
- Show your payment code.
- The merchant scans your code.
- Payment is completed.
This is one of the most common payment methods in China.
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2.3 How to Link a Foreign Bank Card to Alipay
After completing account registration and identity verification, you will need to link a payment card before making payments in China.
Supported Cards
Alipay supports many international bank cards, including:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- JCB
- Discover
- Diners Club
American Express support may be limited depending on your card issuer and region.
Step 1. Open the Bank Card Page
Open Alipay and navigate to:
Me → Bank Cards
Tap Add Bank Card.
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Step 2. Enter Your Card Information
Follow the instructions provided in the app and enter:
- Card number
- Cardholder name
- Expiration date
- Security code (CVV)
- Billing information (if required)
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Step 3. Complete Bank Verification
Depending on your bank, additional verification may be required.
This may include:
- SMS verification code
- Banking app confirmation
- Additional security verification
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Step 4. Confirm Successful Linking
Once verification is completed, your card will appear in the Bank Cards section of Alipay.
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EasyMate Tip
We recommend linking your card and completing a small test transaction before traveling to China. This helps ensure that your Alipay account is fully set up and ready to use upon arrival.