Start free China checklist China pre-departure check
Install Alipay, link your card and check your payment code before departure, so you do not arrive in China and find out that your payment app is not ready.
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In many places in China, daily payments are made with mobile payment apps and QR codes. If your payment app is not ready, even a simple taxi ride, meal or small purchase can become stressful.
Downloading a payment app does not mean you can pay with it. You also need to open your account, link your card, complete verification and check where your payment code is.
A linked card or visible payment code does not guarantee that every payment will work. Prepare WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion as a backup.
Download the official Alipay app before departure from the App Store or Google Play.
Create your account, log in and complete any verification steps before you travel.
Add your international payment card in Alipay. Foreign cards are mainly intended for everyday payments. Some functions may be limited or unavailable.
Open the Pay/Collect code and check whether your linked card is visible as a payment method.
Find where you can scan a QR code. In China, sometimes you scan a merchant’s QR code, and sometimes the merchant scans your payment code.
Do not depend on one payment route. Prepare WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion.
Enter payment details only inside the official payment app and keep your bank emergency number safely available outside Departure Ready.
Follow this simple fallback plan if Alipay or mobile payment does not work.
Mobile payment can fail if your connection is not working properly.
Open your Pay/Collect code again and check whether your payment method is visible.
Sometimes you need to scan the shop’s or taxi’s QR code instead of showing your own code.
Try WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion.
It is not always ideal, but as an emergency option it may help.
Hotels, larger stores or service desks can often help explain which payment method is possible.
Use the emergency number you have safely saved offline yourself.
Departure Ready does not store card details, payment codes, bank details or Alipay login information. You enter payment details only inside the official payment app.
Mobile payments can fail because of internet issues, verification, limits, card acceptance or location.
Do not depend on one payment route. Prepare WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion.
The full checklist also helps you prepare internet, apps, hotel address and emergency information.
Many travelers can add an international card to Alipay, but availability and supported features can vary by card issuer, bank, account, app version and current terms. Check the latest conditions in Alipay and with your card provider.
No. Alipay is useful, but you should not rely on one payment route. Prepare WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion or hotel.
It is a good backup. WeChat Pay can be useful if Alipay does not work or if a merchant mainly uses WeChat.
It may be harder. Downloading, logging in, verification or troubleshooting can be more stressful once you are already in China. Prepare Alipay before departure.
No. Departure Ready does not store card details, bank details, payment codes or payment app login details.
Try your backup payment route: WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion or hotel. Also check your internet connection and whether your bank has blocked or limited the card.
This landing page explains Alipay, but the main action always starts the full China checklist. That helps you avoid preparing only Alipay while forgetting internet, backup payment, hotel address or your Safety Pack.
Information based on payment app terms, bank rules or provider information can change. Always check the latest terms in the Alipay app, with your bank and with your card issuer.
Start the free China checklist and prepare your Alipay, backup payment method, internet, apps, hotel address and Safety Pack step by step.
