Guide to Alipay – the Primary Mobile Payment App in China

Coming to China, it is easier to move on with Alipay, one of the major apps for cashless payment, closely related with daily life of people here. With enhanced features, you can also use Alipay to deal with many things on your journey in China, like taking public bus and metro, hailing a taxi, enjoying a shared bike ride, and order food delivery. Moreover, for the convenience of world-wide visitors, Alipay supports multiple-language service, including English, French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and more. 
 

 Step 1: Download the App from your mobile app store or from the official Alipay website.

 Step 2: Register an account using your international mobile phone number or e-mail.
You will also need to prepare one of the following identification documents:
a. Passport; 
b. Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan residents; 
c. China Permanent Residence Permit (China Green Card)

 Step 3: Add a Bank Card
a. Alipay currently supports several major international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay International, Maestro, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club International.
b. Almost all Chinese bank cards.
 

Sign Up Alipay

Add Your Bank Card

 This is one of the most common issues. Possible solutions include:
(1). Make sure the name you fill in matches the name on your passport. If there is a middle name, you can separate it with a comma, or alternate between uppercase and lowercase letters. 
(2). Double-check your card details and billing information. 
(3). Ensure your bank card supports international online transactions.
(4). Try a different card if available.
(5). Call +86 571 2688 6000 for assistance; English-language service is available.
 It’s highly recommended to register your account after landing in China, as the real-name verification process may be blocked in some countries. Even if you successfully register an account overseas, it may still be suspended during use in China. Plus, there will be volunteers at major international airports to help you set up your account, such as Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Remember to turn on international roaming to ensure you can receive text messages. 
 

Paying via Alipay

There are 3 simple ways to pay via Alipay.
(1). Tap “Scan” and scan the QR code displayed by the merchant.

(2). Tap “Pay/Receive”, show your personal QR code, and let the merchant scan it.

(3). Tap payment: Unlock your phone and hold it close to the blue contact area on the POS terminal for about one to two seconds until you hear a beep.

On Android devices, the payment will usually complete automatically. On iPhones, you may need to confirm the payment afterwards. 
 A single transaction is limited to US$ 5,000, with a daily total limit of US$ 50,000.
Payments above CNY 200 will include a 3% service charge. 
 a. Link your Alipay account with a Chinese bank card. For Chinese bank card users, there are no service fees. 
b. If you link an international bank card, you can split the payment into separate transactions; as long as each one is under CNY 200 yuan, there will be no service fee. 
 One of Alipay’s biggest advantages is its built-in transportation system. Visitors don’t need to download a separate app. 

Here is how it goes: 
a. You can easily find “Transport” on the home page, right next to “Pay/Collect”. 
b. Then select your current city, and a metro or bus QR code will be generated. 
c. Lastly, show your QR code to the machine when taking metro or city buses. 
 Alipay integrates ride-hailing services within the app:
a. Enter your destination;
b. Choose a vehicle type;
c. Track your driver in real time;
d. After riding, pay automatically through Alipay.

This is especially useful when language barriers make traditional taxi hailing by the roadside difficult.

 A Special Tip: 
The online map in the ride-hailing service is very useful; everything is in English or your chosen language, and the maps are very accurate. So, in addition to using it to hail a car, you can rely on it to find your way. 
 When distances are short or traffic’s heavy, biking is a good option. Plus, exploring the city by bike is also a good option. For example, you can experience the uniqueness of the Hutong in Beijing by bike. If you see yellow, green, or blue bikes on the streets with QR codes on them, those are shared bikes. 

Open the Alipay app, scan the QR code, and unlock the bike. Once you hear a beep, you can ride it away. Remember to lock it after enjoying the ride. 
 In cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, foreign visitors can process tax refunds through Alipay. 

a. Review your eligible items at a departure tax refund self-service terminal at the airport customs. 
b. Open the Alipay and follow the steps on the terminal: enter your mobile phone numbers, passport, and name. 
c. Scan the Alipay payment QR code on the terminal. The refunded amount is credited directly to your Alipay balance, which not only eliminates paperwork procedures, but also speeds up the process of receiving your tax refund. 
 1. Booking attraction tickets; 
2. Purchasing flight tickets;
3. Ordering food delivery;
4. Booking hotel rooms.

Further Reading:
  A Complete Guide to Modes of Payment in China
  WeChat – The Most Popular Instant Messaging & Payment App in China
  Chinese Currency & Money Exchange
  Cost of Traveling in China