Alipay Guide: How to Use Alipay for Payments and Travel

When traveling in China, many people pay using mobile apps instead of cash. Alipay (支付宝) is one of the most widely used payment apps and is accepted in restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, and transport. For Filipino travelers, using Alipay makes paying for things quick and easy during your trip.

Why Do You Need Alipay in China?

In China, Alipay is used almost everywhere, from shopping malls and convenience stores to small street food stalls. You can use it to pay for food, shopping, train tickets, hotels, and transportation. For Filipino travelers, Alipay makes things much easier because you can pay quickly with your phone instead of carrying a lot of cash.

How to Set Up Alipay for Foreign Travelers

If you are planning to visit China, it is a good idea to set up Alipay before your trip. Many places in China prefer QR payments, so having the app ready will make paying for food, shopping, and transport much easier.

1. Download the App

• iPhone: Search “Alipay” on the App Store
• Android: Download it from "Google Play "

Tip: Download it before arriving in China to avoid connection issues

2. Register Your Account

• Open the app and tap "Sign Up"
• Enter your international phone number
• Select your country and verify using the SMS code

3. Complete Identity Verification

You can do this later, but it is recommended for smoother payments.

• Go to Me > Settings > Account & Security > Identity Verification
• Upload your passport photo
• Complete the face verification

4. Link Your International Card

• Tap Me > Bank Cards
• Add your Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club card
• Your bank may send an OTP code to confirm the card

5. Add Funds (Optional)

• You can pay directly with your linked card
• Some travelers also top up their wallet using services like TourPass for easier payments in certain places.

Can You Use Alipay Without a Chinese Phone Number?

Yes, you can still use Alipay without a Chinese phone number. You can register with your international number and verify your identity using your passport. Once verified, you can start paying in shops, restaurants, and other places in China.

• You can register using your international phone number. Most countries are supported.
• The number is needed to receive SMS verification codes when signing in or confirming payments.
• Some extra features or promos may require a Chinese number, but basic payments usually work fine without it.

How to Pay with Alipay in China

Using Alipay in China is very easy. Most places simply use QR codes for payment, so you only need your phone.

At Stores

Scan the Merchant QR Code

• Open Alipay and tap Scan
• Scan the store’s QR code
• Enter the amount and confirm payment

Show Your QR Code

• Some stores will ask for your payment code
• Open Pay in Alipay
• Let the cashier scan your QR code to complete the payment.

Online Booking

You can also use Alipay when booking flights, hotels, or train tickets on travel platforms like Trip.com.

How to Pay with Alipay in China for Transport

You can also use Alipay for public transport like the subway or buses.

• Open Alipay and tap the Transport option on the home page
• Select your city (for example, Shanghai)
• Activate the transport card and link your credit or debit card
• Use the QR code at subway gates or bus scanners when entering and exiting.

Alipay vs GCash (Using in China)

💡 Travel Tip: For most Filipino travelers, Alipay is the best option for payments in China because it works almost everywhere. GCash can be a useful backup, but it only works at merchants that support Alipay+.

Can I Use GCash in China?

Yes, you can use GCash in China, but only at merchants that support Alipay+ payments. Because acceptance is not everywhere, many Filipino travelers still use Alipay as their main payment app.

• Verify your GCash account before traveling
• Make sure you have enough PHP balance in your wallet
• Open GCash → Pay Abroad → Alipay+ and show your QR code to the cashier

GCash will automatically convert PHP to Chinese yuan during payment.

Sources: gcash.com

Is Alipay Safe?

Yes, Alipay is generally safe to use. It is one of the biggest payment apps in China and uses several security features to protect users.

• Payment password is required before completing a payment
• Fingerprint or face recognition can be used for login and verification
• Data encryption helps protect your personal and payment information

For extra safety, avoid making payments using public Wi-Fi and keep your account password private.

Does Alipay Charge Transaction Fees?

For most everyday payments in China, Alipay usually does not charge extra fees. You can use it for shopping, food, transport, and small purchases without a service charge.

However, if you pay using a foreign card, a 3% service fee may apply for transactions above RMB 200. Currency conversion from your card to Chinese yuan may also include exchange rate differences from your bank.

China Travel Tips

• Carry some cash in case a small shop does not accept mobile payments.
• Check exchange rates since foreign cards may include conversion fees.
• Prepare internet access, as some international apps may not work normally in China.