Overview
Alipay is China’s most popular mobile payment platform. In 2026, foreign travelers can now directly bind international credit/debit cards to Alipay without needing a Chinese bank account. For those who prefer prepaid options, TourCard (the successor to Tour Pass) provides an alternative.
:::info 2026 Update: The old “Tour Pass” has been replaced by TourCard. However, direct card binding is now the recommended method for most travelers due to lower fees. :::
Two Payment Methods Compared
| Feature | Direct Binding (Recommended) | TourCard (Prepaid) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Link your card once | Create prepaid account |
| Fees | Free under ¥200; 3% over | 5% top-up fee |
| Best for | Daily spending | P2P transfers, services requiring local card |
| Validity | 90 days (extendable) | 180 days |
Method 1: Direct Card Binding (Recommended)
Supported Cards
- ✅ Visa
- ✅ Mastercard
- ✅ American Express
- ✅ JCB
- ✅ Discover
- ✅ Diners Club
Step-by-Step Setup
-
Download Alipay
- iOS: App Store
- Android: Google Play or Alipay official website
-
Select Language
- Switch to “International Version” in settings
-
Register Account
- Use your international phone number (+1, +44, etc.)
- Receive and enter SMS verification code
-
Verify Identity (Real-Name)
- Go to “Me” → “Authenticate Identity”
- Upload passport photo (photo page)
- Complete face verification scan
- Wait 1-5 minutes for approval
-
Link Card
- Go to “Me” → “Bank Cards” → “Add Card”
- Enter card details
- Complete 3D Secure verification with your bank
- Card ready in minutes
Transaction Fees (2026)
| Transaction Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under ¥200 | Free (0%) |
| Over ¥200 | 3% service fee |
:::tip Cost-Saving Tip: Split large purchases into multiple payments under ¥200 to avoid the 3% fee. Example: ¥600 purchase → 3x ¥200 = ¥0 fees instead of ¥18. :::
Transaction Limits (After Passport Verification)
| Limit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single transaction | ¥35,000 (~$5,000 USD) |
| Monthly cumulative | ¥100,000 (~$14,000 USD) |
| Annual cumulative | ¥500,000 (~$68,000 USD) |
What You CAN Do
- ✅ Pay at any merchant accepting Alipay (99% of stores in major cities)
- ✅ Use Transport QR code for metro and buses
- ✅ Book Didi rides
- ✅ Order food delivery (Meituan, Ele.me)
- ✅ Pay for tickets (tourist attractions, movies)
- ✅ Online shopping
What You CANNOT Do
- ❌ Peer-to-peer transfers (red packets to friends)
- ❌ Withdraw cash
- ❌ Purchase financial products
- ❌ Use in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan
Method 2: TourCard (Prepaid Option)
TourCard is a prepaid virtual card issued by Bank of Shanghai, accessible via Alipay mini-program. Use this if direct card binding fails or you need features requiring a local card.
Step-by-Step Setup
- After identity verification, search “TourCard” in Alipay
- Open the TourCard mini-program
- Submit passport details (name, number, DOB, expiry)
- Link international card for top-ups
- Top up ¥100-10,000 (5% fee per top-up)
TourCard Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Top-up fee | 5% per transaction |
| Minimum top-up | ¥100 |
| Maximum balance | ¥10,000 |
| Validity | 180 days |
| Refund | Automatic at expiry (7-15 days) |
Using Alipay
QR Code Payments
Scan Merchant QR:
- Open Alipay → tap “Scan” (top right)
- Scan merchant’s QR code
- Enter amount → confirm
- Payment complete!
Show Your QR (Merchant Scans):
- Go to “Pay” on home screen
- Show QR code to merchant
- Merchant enters amount
- Confirm with password or Face ID
Transport Code
For metro and buses, use the Transport QR:
- “Pay” → “Transport”
- Select your city
- Activate city-specific code
- Show code at metro gates or to bus driver
Troubleshooting
Card Linking Fails
Solutions:
- Verify your bank allows international transactions
- Contact your bank to enable “overseas online payments”
- Try a different card (Visa/Mastercard have highest success rate)
- Use TourCard as fallback
Payment Declined
Common causes:
- Bank blocked transaction (suspected fraud) → Contact bank, try again
- Exceeded daily limit → Wait until next day or verify identity
- Merchant doesn’t accept foreign cards → Use TourCard or cash
App Not Working
- Update to latest Alipay version
- Check internet connection (VPN may help abroad)
- Clear app cache and restart
Pro Tips
- Do verification BEFORE arrival - Complete passport verification at home with stable internet
- Keep backup cards - Link two cards in case one fails
- Carry ¥200-500 cash - For emergencies and small vendors
- Notify your bank - Tell them you’ll be in China to avoid fraud blocks
- Save merchant QR codes - Screenshot for repeat visits
- Monitor limits - Set calendar reminders if near limit
Comparison: Alipay vs WeChat Pay
| Feature | Alipay | WeChat Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Card support | Visa, MC, Amex, JCB, Discover, Diners | Visa, Mastercard |
| User interface | More English-friendly | More Chinese-focused |
| Verification | Easier for foreigners | Can be trickier |
| Fees | 0% under ¥200, 3% over | 0% under ¥200, 3% over |
| Transport QR | City-specific, works on all transit | Limited cities |