Pay Cashless in China Without a Chinese Bank Account – Alipay part 2

If you are planning to visit China, you may wonder how to pay for things without carrying cash or using your foreign bank cards. China is a cashless society, where most people use mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay to pay for everything from street food to high-speed trains. However, these apps are not easy to use for foreigners, as they require a Chinese bank account and a local phone number.

As China continues to move towards a cashless society, where most people use mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay to pay for everything from street food to high-speed trains. However, these apps are not easy to use for foreigners, as they require a Chinese bank account and a local phone number.

It becomes increasingly important for foreign travelers to find a convenient and widely accepted way to make payments during their visit. Alipay, one of the biggest eWallet apps in China, offers a solution for foreigners with its Alipay Tour Pass. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how Alipay works, how to set it up as a foreigner, and the benefits it provides for seamless transactions in China.

Fortunately, there is a solution: Alipay TourCard.

Alipay TourCard

Alipay TourCard is a mini-program within the Alipay app that allows foreigners to use Alipay without a Chinese bank account. You can simply link your international bank card to Alipay TourCard and top up money to use it anywhere Alipay is accepted in China. Alipay TourCard is valid for 90 days.

In this blog post, we will show you how to set up, use, and load money to your Alipay TourCard in China. Follow these steps and enjoy the convenience of mobile payment in China.

Step 1: Download the Alipay app and register with your phone number

The first step is to download the Alipay app on your smartphone. You can find it on the App Store or Google Play. Once you have downloaded the app, open it and register with your phone number. You can use your foreign phone number or a Chinese phone number if you have one. You will need to verify your phone number with a code sent to you by SMS.

Step 2: Complete identity verification with your passport

The next step is to complete identity verification with your passport. This is required by the Chinese regulations and will ensure the security of your account. To do this, go to the “Me” tab on the bottom right corner of the app and tap on “Identity Verification”. Then, choose “Verify Now” and follow the instructions to scan your passport and take a selfie. Make sure the information on your passport matches the information you entered when you registered. The verification process may take a few minutes or hours, depending on the network condition and the verification queue.

Step 3: Search for “TourCard” in the Alipay app and link your international bank card

The third step is to search for “TourCard” in the Alipay app and link your international bank card. To do this, go to the “Discover” tab on the bottom center of the app and tap on the search icon on the top right corner. Then, type in “TourCard” and tap on the first result. You will see a page with the introduction and the terms and conditions of Alipay TourCard. Tap on “Agree and Continue” to proceed.

On the next page, you will need to link your international bank card to Alipay TourCard. Alipay TourCard supports cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, and UnionPay. To link your card, tap on “Add Card” and enter your card number, expiry date, and CVV code. You will also need to enter your name, passport number, and phone number. Then, tap on “Next” and confirm your information. You may need to verify your card with a code sent to you by your bank.

Step 4: Top up money to your Alipay TourCard and start using it

The final step is to top up money to your Alipay TourCard and start using it. To top up money, tap on “Top Up” and choose the amount you want to add. The minimum amount is 100 CNY and the maximum amount is 2000 CNY per top up. You can top up as many times as you want, as long as the total balance does not exceed 5000 CNY. You will need to enter your payment password to confirm the top up. The money will be deducted from your linked bank card and converted to CNY at the exchange rate of the day.

Once you have topped up money, you can start using your Alipay TourCard anywhere Alipay is accepted in China. There are two ways to pay with Alipay TourCard:

Method 1:

Show your payment QR code to the cashier. To do this, go to the “Pay” tab on the bottom left corner of the app and tap on “TourCard”. You will see a QR code that the cashier can scan to deduct the payment from your Alipay TourCard.

Method 2:

Scan the merchant’s QR code and enter the amount. To do this, go to the “Scan” tab on the top left corner of the app and scan the QR code displayed by the merchant. You will need to enter the amount and your payment password to confirm the payment.

You can check your balance and transaction history on the “TourCard” page. You can also refund the remaining balance to your linked bank card before your Alipay TourCard expires. To do this, tap on “Refund” and enter your payment password. The refund may take a few days to process, depending on your bank.

Conclusion

Alipay TourCard is a convenient and easy way to use mobile payment in China as a foreigner. You can link your international bank card to Alipay TourCard and top up money to use it anywhere Alipay is accepted in China. Alipay TourCard is valid for 90 days and can be recharged as many times as you want. You can also refund the remaining balance to your linked bank card before your Alipay TourCard expires. We hope this blog post has helped you understand how to use Alipay TourCard in China. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy travels!