Alipay, China's leading payment and digital app, has rolled out new upgradesto make mobile payment services more accessible and convenient for international visitors to China, as cross-border travel continues to grow and the country gears up for the 19th Asian Games in September.

Since 2022, Alipay in partnership with international card networks has further upgraded its payment service for international travelers. For tourists travelling to China, it is now easier than ever to use Alipay to pay for goods and services, ranging from dining, transportation, entertainment, shopping and attractions.

Today, visitors to China simply need to link their credit or debit cards issued outside the Chinese mainland to Alipay to make payments at tens of millions of Alipay partner merchants across the country. Alipay now supports overseas bank cards issued by all major international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club International, and Discover. There is no need to set up a prepaid account or acquire a Chinese phone number. Registration and verification processes have also been streamlined.

In addition, users of multiple leading e-wallets in Asia are now able to pay for goods and services in the Chinese mainland using their home e-wallets through Alipay+, Ant Group's cross-border mobile payment and marketing solutions. Now, users of South Korea's Kakao Pay and Malaysia's Touch 'n Go e-Wallet can pay seamlessly at Alipay's vast merchants’ network in China, in addition to AlipayHK.

Here is an infographic on the steps to link overseas bank cards with Alipay and some Q&A on the basics of this service: