Alipay now available for tourists in China

1 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Nov 14, 201911:11 PM

International travelers can now use mobile payments in China as Alipay has launched a new version of its payment app designed for short-term overseas visitors.

After installing the Alipay app, international visitors can register with their overseas mobile phone number to access the “Tour Pass” mini-program through which they can use the “Prepaid Card” service provided by the Bank of Shanghai.

The minimum top-up for each card is CNY100, with balance capped at CNY2000. The card is valid for 90 days, after which any remaining funds will be refunded automatically.

With the new Alipay service, visitors can pay through QR code or make online purchases through the app.

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What this means

Alipay's introduction of Tour Pass is a pragmatic step to unlock tourist spending, a segment previously underserved by China’s dominant mobile payment ecosystem. By simplifying access through overseas mobile numbers and prepaid cards, Alipay addresses a known pain point for international visitors, potentially boosting transaction volumes. Unlike existing solutions that often require local bank accounts, this lowers the entry barrier significantly. The capped balance and 90-day validity are sensible measures to manage risk while offering convenience. This initiative puts immediate pressure on competitors to launch comparable visitor-friendly services to capture a share of the revitalised tourist market. Retailers should monitor the uptake of this service closely.

Minjun Park

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