Alipay (支付宝) is one of the most popular mobile payment tools in China, and almost every store, restaurant, tourist spot, and transportation service accepts Alipay payments. For Malaysian travelers, knowing how to use Alipay not only makes your trip to China more convenient but also helps you avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Today, we will give you a detailed guide on how to use Alipay in China.
In China, Alipay is almost everywhere. Whether it's large shopping malls, convenience stores, or street vendors, everyone is accustomed to using Alipay for payments. Alipay can be used for shopping, hotel bookings, train tickets, transportation fees, and even ordering food. Through Alipay, tourists can easily enjoy a cashless and convenient travel experience.
If you're a Malaysian tourist, you can set up and use Alipay in China with the following steps:
Download Alipay: First, you need to download the Alipay app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android).
Register an Account: Register an Alipay account using your email or phone number. Although Alipay usually requires a mainland China phone number for verification, you can register using your overseas phone number and log in.
Real-Name Verification: Alipay requires real-name verification, which can be done with your passport. Just follow the prompts to upload your passport photo and perform facial recognition verification.
Bind a Bank Card: You can bind a Malaysian bank card or top up your account through Alipay’s recharge methods (such as using credit or debit cards).
Yes, you can still use Alipay without a Chinese phone number. Alipay allows foreign users to register with their overseas phone numbers and supports passport-based real-name verification. As long as you complete the real-name verification, foreign users can use Alipay for payments.
In China, almost all merchants accept Alipay. To make payments, follow these steps:
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Alipay is also widely used in China’s transportation system:
Open Alipay, tap the transportation icon on the homepage, select your city (e.g., Shanghai), and choose subway, bus, or bike options.
Alipay isn’t just for shopping and transport; it’s also widely used in China’s dining scene. Many restaurants and delivery platforms support ordering with Alipay. Here are the steps:
Some restaurants support in-store ordering with Alipay, or accept Alipay via delivery platforms like Ele.me or Meituan Waimai. Choose based on your situation.
If you have red packets (红包) or points, you can apply them at checkout to offset part of the cost. The payment page will show the available amount—tick to apply.
Alipay and Malaysia’s Touch ’n Go (TNG) e-wallet are both widely used mobile payment tools. With the growth of cross-border payments, TNG has partnered with Alipay so Malaysian users can pay in China using the TNG e-wallet. Here’s a comparison to help you understand their strengths and use cases:
Feature | Alipay (Alipay) | Touch ’n Go (TNG) e-Wallet |
|---|---|---|
Registration requirement | Yes (ID required) | No (use existing TNG account) |
Payment functions | Payments, transfers, investments, etc. | Payments, reward points, etc. |
Cross-border payments | Yes (supports multiple countries) | Yes (via Alipay partnership, supports China) |
Exchange rate transparency | Real-time rates shown | Real-time rates shown |
Currency conversion fee | Possible (depends on bank) | ~1% per transaction |
Use cases | Merchants in China and other countries | Alipay-supported merchants in China |
Thanks to the TNG–Alipay partnership, Malaysian users can pay at some merchants in China using the TNG e-wallet. However, not all merchants accept TNG, so downloading Alipay is generally more convenient.
Before using TNG in China, make sure your TNG e-wallet is linked to a valid bank card or credit card so you have sufficient funds.
Install the latest version from Google Play or the App Store to access the newest TNG–Alipay features.
Many Chinese merchants present an Alipay QR for payment. You can choose to pay with TNG as follows:
When the merchant displays an Alipay QR, select Scan in the TNG app to scan it. The system will jump to the TNG payment screen.
The payment page shows the transaction amount and real-time FX rate. Check and confirm there are no errors.
Tap to pay after confirming. The amount is deducted from your TNG balance. You can view the transaction details afterward.
After payment, you and the merchant will receive confirmation and the transaction is complete.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are China’s two mainstream payment platforms. Foreigners can choose based on their habits:
For short-term tourists, Alipay may be more convenient because it has broader support in the tourism sector and among international-facing merchants. Its interface is simpler and generally easier to operate.
Yes—Alipay is a secure payment tool. It uses multiple safeguards to protect user information and funds, including:
Although Alipay is very secure, we recommend avoiding public Wi-Fi for payments and changing your payment password regularly.
For everyday payments by regular users, Alipay does not charge transaction fees. Whether it’s shopping, dining, or transport, payment fees are usually zero. However, cross-border payments (e.g., converting RMB to MYR) may involve exchange-rate differences and fees.
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