If you’re planning a trip to China, one of the smartest things you can do before you go is learn how to set up Alipay. Mobile payments dominate daily life in China — from paying for a taxi in Beijing to ordering street food in Chengdu. Having Alipay set up can be really convenient and make paying for things much easier. Set up Alipay before you arrive in China for the best chance of everything going smoothly.

How to Set Up Alipay (Step by Step)

1. Download the Alipay App

Start by downloading the Alipay app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

2. Register with Your Foreign Phone Number

Open the app and sign up using your foreign mobile number. You’ll get a confirmation code via SMS.

3. Add Your Bank Card

Link your foreign debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex are usually supported). This allows you to pay merchants directly through Alipay.

4. Complete Identity Verification

To avoid issues later, complete the passport verification (and sometimes a face scan). This unlocks more features and reduces the chance of payments being declined.

To complete this step, go to "Settings", "Account and Security", and then "Verify Now". Enter your information and upload your passport to complete identity verification.

👉 Tip: Do all of this before you arrive in China. It’s much easier to set up Alipay outside the country.

5. How to Use Alipay Once It’s Set Up

Once your account is ready, paying with Alipay is very simple:

Scan to Pay – Tap the Scan button in the app, scan the merchant’s QR code, and enter the amount you need to pay. The money is then taken directly from your linked card.
Show Your Code – Tap the Pay/Receive button, which generates your personal payment QR code. The merchant will scan it, and the payment will be processed automatically.

Both options work instantly, and you’ll get a confirmation message in the app.

Can Foreigners Use Alipay in China?

Yes! Alipay now allows foreigners to register with international phone numbers and link foreign bank cards. You don’t need a Chinese bank account to use it.

Common Problems with Alipay (and How to Avoid Them)

Even though foreigners can use Alipay, there are still a few issues travellers often face:

Small shops may not accept it – Big hotels, restaurants, and attractions usually accept foreign-linked Alipay, but small street vendors and rural shops may not.
👉 Solution: Always carry some cash for backup in rural areas and small vendors.
Verification issues – If you haven’t completed your passport verification, your account may get frozen.
👉 Solution: Upload your passport details in advance to unlock full access.
Transaction fees – For some payments, especially larger ones, Alipay may add extra fees to foreign card transactions.
👉 Solution: Test with small purchases first and check app notifications for fee warnings.

Do I Still Need Cash in China?

Most payments in big cities are digital, but carrying a small amount of cash is still useful for:

Street food stalls
Rural areas
Small shops that don’t accept foreign-linked Alipay

Eventurus Tip: Use a Wise Card with Alipay

At Eventurus, we’ve tested different options and found that using a Wise card (formerly TransferWise), preloaded with RMB (Chinese Yuan), works very well with Alipay. By loading RMB in advance to your wise card and then linking this card to Alipay, you can often cut down on conversion fees and spend like a local.

Check out and sign up for a Wise Card here

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⚠️ Note: Whether extra fees are charged depends on Alipay’s rules, not Wise, so results may vary.

Final Thoughts: Why Set Up Alipay Before Your Trip?

Learning how to set up Alipay before arriving in China makes your travel experience smoother and less stressful. With a few minutes of setup, you can:

Pay like a local in shops, hotels, and restaurants
Avoid fumbling with cash or cards
Focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about payments

At Eventurus, we’re here to help you with every detail of your journey to China — from expert itineraries to practical travel tips like this one.

How to Set Up Alipay: A Guide for Paying in China