Many years ago on a trip to Chengdu, I faced a quandary. I needed to refill my prepaid SIM card (eSIM’s weren’t a thing back then—it was that long ago) but couldn’t find a shop that would let me do it. I felt panicked, until a local woman came to my assistance.
“Give me the cash,” she told me in English. I complied and then, after watching her push a few buttons in an app on her phone, was amazed as I received a text message telling me that my account had been topped up.
The good news? It’s now possible for even visitors to China to use the app that woman was using (i.e. Alipay), which is good for so much more than just adding credit to your phone. The better news? Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll be explaining exactly how to use Alipay as a foreigner in China.
China is Cashless—But Not Like the US or Europe
If you’ve ever tried to pay with a credit card in China, you’ve probably been disappointed more than a few times. Unlike in the US or Europe (or, increasingly, in other Asian destinations like Japan and even Thailand), it simply isn’t common to pay for incidental daily expenses in China with a credit card. With this being said, you can typically use credits at Chinese hotels and at “nice” restaurants in China.
Instead, Chinese people pay with QR-based apps like Alipay, Wechat and others too numerous to mention in this piece. Another quick way to transact when you’re traveling in China is to choose a fast payout online casino when you play your favorite games. Note that unless you’re traveling in Macau, where gambling is legal, you’ll likely need to use a VPN in order to access casino websites while in China.
How to Use Alipay as a Foreigner in China
Download the Alipay app
It should go without saying, but the first step to using Alipay in China is to download the app, ideally before you arrive in Beijing or Shanghai (or wherever else you’re starting your trip). If not, you may have difficulty accessing your phone’s app store from behind the “Great Firewall.”
Register your account
Likewise, if you want to use Alipay with a US credit card, you’ll need to register an account within the app. Without this, the app is basically worthless, as it won’t work unless you’ve added personal details including your name, address or other identifying information.
Upload your passport (and wait for verification)
Importantly, said identifying information including a picture of your passport’s photo page. Keep in mind that while you can upload this instantly—simply take a picture of it—you’ll need to wait for someone to manually verify the passport. This can take several hours, or in rare cases a day or longer.
Add a credit card
The final step (in terms of preparation) to use Alipay as a foreigner is to add a credit card to the app. You can do this before passport verification is complete, though you won’t be able to use the card until it’s done. Note that as of 2025, only Visa and Mastercard can be used within the Alipay app.
Scan the merchant’s QR code
Once you’re ready to use Alipay, you’ll simply scan the merchant’s QR code (the blue one—they’ll have ones in several colors, each corresponding to different payment apps) in order to pay. Note that you’ll also need to press a couple of other buttons (and, potentially, use a passcode or face ID) to confirm the transaction.
Other Ways to Pay for Things in China
Alipay will allow you to pay for almost everything in China (even purchases that cost only a single RMB—really!), but it’s not 100% encompassing. Here are other ways to pay in China:
- Cash: Every merchant in China still accepts cash, especially those in areas frequented by Western foreigners. The question is whether they’ll have change or not!
- Credit cards: As I mentioned earlier, you can typically use credit cards in hotels, and at sit-down restaurants with many foreign clientele.
- NFC Mobile Wallets: As a general rule, only businesses that accept credit cards with tap-to-pay functionality can accept ApplePay or Samsung Pay. This is uncommon in China, but not unheard of.
- Other QR payment apps: Whether we’re talking Chinese apps like WeChat or local payment systems from banks in Japan and Southeast Asia, an increasing number of QR payments are accepted in China.
The moral of the story? If you’re still not convinced to use Alipay as a foreigner in China, you can almost always pay cash (or, if you can’t give cash to a local person like I did, and let them use Alipay or WeChat!).
Other FAQ About Using Alipay as a Foreigner in China
Can I use Alipay with a US credit card?
As of 2025, you can use a Visa or Mastercard issued in the US with Alipay—but there’s a catch. Namely, you can only use this on the Chinese version of the Alipay app (which is available in the English language—don’t worry!), and for transactions within mainland China. You can’t use this app outside of China.
Can you use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?
You no longer need a Chinese bank account to use Alipay. Simply add your Visa or Mastercard to your Alipay wallet. Please note, however, that this only works when using Alipay in China. Even when using the English-language version of the app, you can’t use Alipay outside of China without a Chinese bank account.
Do you need to add a passport to Alipay?
Unless you are a legal resident or citizen of China, you must upload your passport to Alipay (and wait for it to be manually approved) if you wish to use Alipay. Without this step, the app won’t activate, and you won’t be able to use Alipay for easy QR payments while traveling in China.
The Bottom Line
I hope I’ve demystified the process of how to use Alipay as a foreigner in China. The few minutes it will take you to configure Alipay are nothing compared to the countless things it will empower you to pay for in an instant. For better or for worse, China’s transition from a cash-based society to a cashless one mostly blew past credit cards. Thankfully for those of us who don’t reside in the Middle Kingdom, however, authorities have allowed app developers to provide an option for foreigners to use them without a Chinese bank account. Need personalized help planning your next trip to China? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
