How to Pay in China as a Tourist: You Basically Just Need Alipay
- Arron Goh
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
If you're visiting China for the first time, one question you'll probably have is:
How do I actually pay for things in China?
The answer is surprisingly simple.
Download Alipay.
I've travelled to China five times in the past year, and on every trip I basically never brought cash with me.
Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Harbin — even when we travelled through more rural parts of Yunnan, we could still pay using Alipay.
Honestly, China's cashless payment system is one of my favourite things about travelling there.
You buy something.
They scan your phone.
Done.
Is China Really Cashless?
Not technically.
Cash is still accepted in China, and tourists can still use RMB cash, bank cards and other payment methods.
But from my experience travelling around China, mobile payment is everywhere.
Convenience stores.
Restaurants.
Shopping malls.
Metro stations.
Taxis.
Small shops.
And what surprised me most was travelling through Yunnan and finding QR payments even in places much further away from the major cities.
I kept thinking:
How is Alipay accepted here too?! 😂
For a tourist, it makes travelling around China ridiculously convenient.
The Easiest Way to Pay in China: Alipay
Before travelling to China, I recommend downloading Alipay and setting it up on your phone.
You don't necessarily need a Chinese bank account either.
International travellers can register for Alipay and link supported international bank cards directly to the app.
That means you can connect your credit or debit card and then use Alipay as the payment interface while you're in China.
So instead of constantly taking your physical credit card out:
Your card → Alipay → Merchant
When you make a purchase through Alipay, the payment can be charged to your linked card.
China's official guidance currently lists supported card networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Discover and UnionPay, although availability can depend on your issuing bank.
How to Set Up Alipay Before Going to China
I'd recommend doing this before your flight rather than figuring everything out after arriving.
Step 1: Download Alipay
Install Alipay and create an account.
Foreign travellers can register using an overseas mobile number.
Step 2: Complete Verification
Follow the identity verification instructions inside Alipay.
Depending on your account and what you're trying to use, Alipay may ask you to verify your identity.
Having your passport nearby makes this easier.
Step 3: Add Your Credit or Debit Card
Inside Alipay, add your international bank card.
Once it's successfully linked, you can select the card as your payment method when making purchases.
Your bank may occasionally require additional verification when connecting the card.
I recommend setting everything up before leaving home so you know your card works.
How to Pay With Alipay in China
There are basically two ways you'll pay.
1. They Scan You
This is probably the easiest. Just open Alipay and display your payment QR code, The cashier scans it, payment goes through your selected payment method.
Done.
2. You Scan Them
You'll also see QR codes displayed at restaurants, shops, stalls and counters.
Open Alipay, press Scan, scan their QR code and enter the amount if required.
Confirm the payment. Done.
Once you've done it a few times, you stop thinking about it completely.
Your Credit Card Can Still Be Used Through Alipay
This was one of the things I didn't fully understand before travelling to China.
You might think:
"But I don't have money inside Alipay."
You don't necessarily need to.
If you've linked your international credit or debit card, Alipay can act as the bridge between your card and the merchant.
For example:
You buy something for ¥30.
↓
Merchant scans your Alipay QR code.
↓
Alipay uses your selected linked card.
↓
The payment is charged to your card.
So you're still essentially paying with your credit card — you're just using Alipay to make the payment.
Payment limits, fees and supported cards can vary, so check what Alipay shows for your particular card before confirming larger purchases.
You Can Even Use Alipay for Public Transportation
Alipay isn't only for shopping.
This is where it becomes extremely useful while travelling.
We also used it for public transportation in China.
For example, in Shanghai we used the transport function inside Alipay to generate a metro QR code.
Then it's basically:
Open Alipay → Transport → QR code → Scan into Metro
When you arrive, scan again to exit.
→ Read my full guide: How to Use Shanghai Metro
We also used Alipay for buses while travelling in Hangzhou.
It feels strange at first because you're using one app for so many different things, but after a few days in China it becomes incredibly convenient.
Do You Still Need Cash in China?
Personally?
I didn't.
Across five trips to China, I haven't needed to rely on cash — including when travelling outside the biggest cities.
But I still wouldn't tell travellers that cash is impossible to use.
RMB cash remains an official payment method in China, so carrying a small backup amount is perfectly reasonable if it makes you more comfortable.
I'd also recommend having more than one payment method available.
For example:
Primary: Alipay + your main card
Backup: Another bank card
Emergency: Some RMB cash
I've personally been comfortable travelling without cash, but having a backup is always sensible when you're overseas.
Since I'm Malaysian Chinese, I didn't really have to worry about it that much, as I can speak to locals in Mandarin easily.
What About WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay is another major mobile payment system in China and international travellers can also link supported overseas bank cards.
I've personally found Alipay convenient enough for travelling because it combines payments with other useful services such as transportation.
So if you're trying to keep things simple for your first China trip:
Set up Alipay first.
You can always set up WeChat Pay as a backup.
My Advice Before Flying to China
Don't arrive in China and only then start figuring this out.
Before your trip:
Download Alipay
Register your account
Complete verification
Link your bank card
Make sure your bank allows overseas transactions
Bring a backup card
Once that's done, paying for things in China becomes incredibly easy.
Honestly, after travelling there multiple times, the cashless system is something I wish more countries had. Because it also makes travelling much more easier, I don't need to go to local forex exchange line up for bank notes.
Even somewhere that feels completely random and remote…
there's somehow an Alipay QR code waiting for you. 😂
Travelling to China?
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