Heading to China? Here’s an all-rounder guide on how to use Alipay. Simply follow our step-by-step ‘Alipay For Foreigners’ guide and add your YouTrip card for the best CNY rates all day!
When heading to China, there are two apps you absolutely need on your phone — WeChat and Alipay. Although WeChat is regarded as the most commonly used app for purchases in China, it’s handy to have both! Alipay offers a seamless and secure platform for users to make payments, transfer funds, and manage their finances. Plus, it’s convenient and now accessible to users worldwide. Simply add your YouTrip card to Alipay to get the best CNY exchange rates all day — yes even without a bank account! But first, here’s an Alipay For Foreigners Guide for everything you need to know about how to use Alipay in China 👇
From exploring its features and benefits to setting up your account and making payments, we cover everything you need to know. Read more!
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What is Alipay?
Alipay is a leading third-party online payment platform that facilitates various financial transactions including online shopping, bill payments, money transfers, and more. Initially introduced as a payment solution for Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, Alipay swiftly evolved into a versatile digital wallet, catering to the diverse needs of users on a global scale. Its transformation into a multifunctional financial tool underscores its commitment to adapting to the dynamic requirements of its extensive user base spread across the globe.
Image credits: SmartShanghai
From purchasing goods overseas, splitting bills with friends, or sending money to family members, Alipay offers a convenient and secure way to manage your finances. Aside from digital payments, Alipay extends its reach into personal finance, facilitating instant money transfers and management. Being such a pervasive technology in China, it’s an indispensable tool for foreigners who are visiting the country.
If you’re visiting China, it’s highly recommended you set up an Alipay account so you can make payments throughout your trip easily — whether it’s purchasing souvenirs, getting something from a convenience store, or taking public transport.
Alipay For Foreigners: How To Use Alipay In China — Find out more about Alipay here
Is Alipay Free To Sign Up And Use?
Creating an Alipay account is free and there are no registration fees involved. However, do note that there are fees that apply to services such as transferring money to a card or withdrawing from an Alipay balance account. If you exceed a certain amount, you will be subjected to a fee — but more on that below 👇
Alipay For Foreigners: How To Use Alipay In China — Find out more about adding your YouTrip card to Alipay and WeChat here
Can You Use Alipay Without a Chinese Bank Account?
Yes, you can use Alipay without a Chinese bank account. While Alipay was initially designed for Chinese users, it has expanded its services to cater to international users as well. Non-Chinese users can create Alipay accounts and link them to their foreign bank accounts or credit/debit cards (like your YouTrip Mastercard!) to access the platform’s features and make payments.
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Alipay Features
Alipay boasts a myriad of features designed to streamline financial transactions and enhance user experience. Here’s a closer look at some notable features:
1️⃣ Mobile Payments: With Alipay’s mobile app, users can make payments using their smartphones — say goodbye to the inconvenience of carrying physical cash! This feature facilitates quick and hassle-free payments, whether it’s paying for groceries, dining, or entertainment.
2️⃣ QR Code Payments: Alipay utilises QR code technology, so you’re able to pay for your transactions by scanning QR codes at participating merchants.
3️⃣ Money Transfers: Alipay facilitates effortless fund transfers within its ecosystem, allowing users to send money to family and friends with ease. Additionally, users can transfer funds to external bank accounts.
4️⃣ Bill Payments: Alipay enables users to settle utility bills, internet services, credit card payments, and various other expenses directly from users’ digital wallets — whether it’s rent, insurance premiums, or subscription services,
5️⃣ Public Transport: Alipay is a payment option for buses and subways in over 50 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. It’s a convenient way to pay for public transport in China. Within the app, there’s a ‘Transport’ section, where you’ll find service channels for buses, metros, taxis, trains, planes, and bikes.
For Bus and Subway, QR codes can be found at the gate or near the driver where you can scan them and pay for the fare. For train tickets, Alipay is integrated with China’s official train ticket booking system, 12306. Hence you can directly search for train tickets, book them and pay with Alipay. And of course, you can also pay for your ride-hailing with Alipay.
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Alipay Fees
As for fees, Alipay typically does not charge users for making payments or transferring funds within the platform. There’s a 3% fee for transactions over 200 CNY set by Alipay and WeChat that applies to all foreign cards. Certain services, such as currency conversion for international transactions or withdrawals to external bank accounts, may incur nominal fees based on the transaction amount and currency exchange rates.
Tip: Make sure you add your YouTrip card to Alipay so as to not get charged extra FX fees on top of Alipay’s 3% fee while you’re there!
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Installing and setting up an Alipay account
Image Credits: Alipay
1️⃣ Go to the respective app stores, search for ‘Alipay’, and download and install the app on your App Store or Google Play Store
2️⃣ Launch the app and tap ‘Sign Up’
3️⃣ Fill in your personal details and follow the screen instructions until your account is successfully created
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Verifying Your Identity
To add your YouTrip card to Alipay, you need to first verify your identity. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Click on ‘Account’ > click on the ‘Settings’ sign on the top right hand corner of the app
2️⃣ Tap on ‘Account and Security’ > ‘Identity Information’
3️⃣ Verify your identity by providing personal information, such as your full name, passport number, and a photo of your passport.
4️⃣ Once your identity is verified, you can link your YouTrip card to the Alipay and get the best CNY exchange rates!
Alipay For Foreigners: How To Use Alipay In China — Here’s a step-by-step video on how to add your YouTrip card to WeChat Pay
Linking YouTrip to Alipay Account
Simply set up Alipay with your YouTrip Card for the best CNY exchange rates with these simple steps:
1️⃣ Click on ‘Me’ > tap ‘Bank cards’
2️⃣ Select the ‘+ Add Card’ symbol > set up your 6-digit payment password
3️⃣ Enter your YouTrip Mastercard details
4️⃣ If your card appears on the screen, this means that it’s successfully linked
5️⃣ Do remember that you’ll need to verify your full details & passport first before you can link your YouTrip card to Alipay!
If linking your credit card doesn’t work, try the Alipay Tour card. The Alipay Tourcard is a local e-prepaid card issued by the Bank of Shanghai via Alipay. This is different from linking your card directly to Alipay as it requires an additional step of loading money before usage.
Alipay For Foreigners: How To Use Alipay In China — Here’s a step-by-step video on how to add your YouTrip card to Alipay
Alipay Tour Card
The Alipay Tour Card is a convenient payment solution for foreigners visiting China. It’s essentially a 90-day prepaid card provided by Shanghai Bank that can be used within the Alipay app. Using the Alipay Tour Card is a convenient way for foreigners, especially tourists, to enjoy cashless transactions while travelling in China, without the need for a local bank account or mobile number.
Image Credits: The Shutterwhale
✅ How to use Alipay Tour card?
1️⃣ In Alipay, toggle to the International Version
2️⃣ Search ‘TOURCARD‘
3️⃣ Open the Tourcard mini-app (Alipay includes hundreds of mini-apps you can find by searching)
4️⃣ Click ‘Enter’ and verify your personal information
5️⃣ Choose an amount to top up
6️⃣ Add your Bank Card for the top-up
7️⃣ Follow the instructions to complete the top-up process
✅ Limits and Fees of Alipay Tour Card
- Only Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners Club and UnionPay cards are accepted
- There is a maximum limit of 10,000 CNY that you can top up
- There is a 5% top-up fee
- The Tour Card is only valid for 6 months.
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Paying by QR Code in Alipay
Image credits: Unsplash
Paying via QR code in two convenient options with Alipay in China:
1️⃣ Scan the merchant’s QR code using your app by tapping the ‘Scan’ button in your ‘Home’ tab
2️⃣ Alternatively, you can click ‘Pay’ to allow merchants to scan your payment QR code
Do remember the same 6-digit Payment Password you set up previously when adding your YouTrip card to Alipay and ensure that the denominations are correct before making payment and vice versa!
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Is Alipay safe?
Yes! Alipay is widely recognized as a secure digital payment platform. Operated by Ant Group, a subsidiary of China’s Alibaba Group, Alipay boasts an exemplary reputation for safety and reliability. As pioneers in the mobile payment platforms globally, Alipay prioritises the implementation of robust security measures to safeguard users’ sensitive information. These measures encompass state-of-the-art data encryption techniques and SSL protocols, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of transactions conducted through the platform.
Moreover, Alipay’s commitment to user security is underscored by its continual investment in innovative security technologies and stringent adherence to industry best practices. Users can rest assured that their financial data and transactions are shielded from unauthorised access and potential threats.
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Have You Added Your YouTrip Card To Alipay Yet?
Travelling to China any time soon? Add your YouTrip card to Alipay now for seamless and convenient payments! Bookmark this guide and share it with your friends and family! Don’t forget to maximise the benefits of Alipay by adding your YouTrip card to get the best CNY exchange rates with zero fees.
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad! 💜
Happy Travels!
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