Guide to Using Alipay and WeChat Pay in Shanghai without a Bank Account in China

Visiting Shanghai without a Chinese bank account is now much easier: both Alipay and WeChat Pay allow foreigners to link international credit cards or prepaid “tour” accounts. Follow the steps below to download, set up, and use these apps on Android or iPhone. We’ll cover switching to English, identity verification, linking cards, limits/fees, where they’re accepted (restaurants, metro, taxis, shops, etc.), and safety tips. Citations are provided for all procedures and tips.

1. Installing and Registering Alipay

Download the official Alipay app. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (search for “Alipay”). If you are outside China, the app will default to an international (English) version[1].
Sign up with your phone number. Open Alipay and tap “Sign Up”. Enter your name and an international mobile number (non-+86 country codes are accepted) and verify it via SMS. Then create an Alipay password.
Switch to English (if needed). On non-Chinese phones, Alipay should start in English[1]. If it appears in Chinese, tap “Me” (bottom right) → Settings (gear icon) → Language, and choose English.
Verify your identity. To use full features, you must complete identity verification with your passport and Chinese visa. Alipay will prompt you to upload a scan of your passport and enter the details exactly as on your card[2]. You may be able to spend up to about US$2,000 per year without ID, but payments over roughly US$500 will require passport verification[3]. Verification typically completes within minutes to a day.
Enroll in the TourCard (formerly “Tour Pass”). Once registered, search in Alipay for “TourCard” (use the search bar on the home screen). The TourCard is a mini-app for short-term visitors. Tap it and follow instructions to activate a prepaid account (valid 180 days)[4]. You will need to re-enter your passport/visa here for KYC.
Link your international card to TourCard. Inside the TourCard mini-app, tap “Top Up” and add your foreign bank card. Accepted cards are Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club International, and JCB[5][6]. (American Express may be added later; currently Amex is not supported by TourCard[6].) The app will deduct a small amount to verify the card and then allow you to transfer funds. Each top-up incurs about a 5% service charge (e.g. top‑up ¥10,000 costs ¥500 extra)[7][4]. You can load up to 10,000 CNY total on TourCard during your stay[6]. The minimum single top-up is ¥100[8].
Fund your account. After linking, choose an amount to add to TourCard. Alipay uses the Bank of Shanghai prepaid service: it charges your card (with exchange rate and fees) and credits the RMB equivalent to your TourCard balance[9].
Ready to pay. With money in TourCard, you can pay anywhere Alipay is accepted. To pay, tap “Pay/Receive” on the Alipay home screen, show your QR code for the merchant to scan, or tap “Scan” and scan the merchant’s QR code. Alipay works for in-store and online purchases (e.g. dining, shopping, metro tickets) wherever Alipay is accepted.

2. Installing and Registering WeChat Pay

Download the official WeChat app. Get WeChat (Weixin) from the App Store or Google Play. Use the international version. WeChat will usually match your phone’s language (switch to English under Me → Settings → General → Language if needed).
Sign up with your phone number. Open WeChat and tap “Sign Up”. Enter your name, region, and your foreign mobile number. You should receive an SMS code to verify. Create a WeChat password. If asked for a “verification friend,” you can usually skip this by verifying your phone or adding a card (see below)[10].
Enable WeChat Pay. By default, WeChat may not show “Wallet”. To activate it, go to Me → Settings → General → Features and enable Wallet (WeChat Pay). You should then see “Wallet” on the Me screen.
Set up Security Verification. WeChat may ask for verification to prevent abuse[10]. The easiest way is to add a payment card (below), which serves as verification. We recommend proceeding to add your foreign card right away.
Add a foreign card. In WeChat’s Wallet, tap Bank Cards → Add a Bank Card. Enter your card details, billing address, etc. WeChat Pay supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club (international) credit cards[11]. (WeChat Pay does not accept foreign debit cards.) You will be charged a tiny fee (about $0.05) to verify the card[11]. If the card is accepted, set a 6-digit payment password.
Verify your phone number. WeChat will send an OTP to the number you registered. Enter that to complete setup[12].
Real-name verification (optional). By default, you can spend up to ¥15,000 total during your visit without uploading ID[13]. To raise limits or send red packets, you can complete real-name verification under Me → Pay & Services → Money by uploading your passport and visa[14][15]. This is generally unnecessary for normal tourists.

3. Linking and Using International Cards

Alipay accepted cards: Alipay will accept major cards for linking. In addition to TourCard, you can link your card directly (outside of the TourCard mini-app) via Alipay’s main “Bank Card” section. Go to Me → Bank Cards → +Add. The Alipay app now supports Visa, Mastercard, Diner’s Club, Discover, JCB and UnionPay cards[16][17]. (UnionPay cards from non-China issuers also work.) If one card fails, try another – some users report variable success.
WeChat Pay accepted cards: Only credit cards from overseas are accepted[11]. Supported issuers include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club[11]. WeChat Pay will not accept foreign debit cards. If your card is declined, you may need to try a different card or use Alipay’s TourCard instead.

After linking, both apps operate similarly: to pay, either scan the merchant’s QR code or show your payment code. Tap “Pay/Receive” (Alipay) or “Money” (WeChat) to display your QR, or use the Scan function to scan theirs. Your linked card (or TourCard balance) will be charged for the purchase. Remember to have internet access (mobile data or Wi-Fi) and ensure any VPN is turned off when paying; these apps require a connection.

4. Troubleshooting and Tips

Card not accepted by merchant: Some small shops or vendors (especially street stalls or taxis) may refuse foreign cards[18]. If so, carry some cash or ask to break a large bill. For Alipay, one workaround is to have a local friend transfer money to your account (via red packet or friend transfer) if your card won’t go through[19].
Verification issues: If you don’t receive SMS codes, try restarting the app or using another country’s code. Make sure your SIM can receive texts. WeChat sometimes flags new accounts for spam; adding your card and enabling Wallet (as above) usually completes registration.
Language issues: Both apps support English. If parts of the interface appear in Chinese, look for “Me” (my profile) icon and find Settings → Language to switch.
Metro/Transit setup: In Alipay, you can set up a Transport Card for each city (e.g. Shanghai) by searching “Transport” in the app. This lets you tap in/out of metro and buses with your QR code[20]. In practice, you can also simply scan the station’s QR code at the gate or show your code to a scanner. (Shanghai Metro also supports UnionPay card tap-in on gates, but foreigners need WeChat/Alipay as described.)
Didi (ridesharing): The Didi app is built into Alipay and WeChat (search “Didi” in each app). You can hail rides with your linked card. There’s no extra charge beyond the fare.
Payment safety: Always double-check the amount before paying. Both apps require your 6-digit password (and sometimes SMS confirmation) for large transactions. Avoid using public QR codes without verifying the merchant.

5. Spending Limits and Fees

Top-up limits: Alipay TourCard can hold up to ¥10,000 in one 180-day period[6]. You cannot top up beyond this until the TourCard expires (and is refunded). WeChat Pay has an initial ¥15,000 total spend limit for the trip (about US$2,000) before verification[13].
Fees: There is no surcharge to pay merchants directly (you pay the same price as cash). However, currency conversion and service fees apply when adding money: Alipay TourCard charges about 5% per top-up[7]. WeChat Pay charges a tiny one-time verification fee (~$0.05) when adding a new foreign card[11]. Your credit card issuer may charge foreign transaction fees. Some travelers report merchants adding ~3% fee on single payments over ¥200 by foreign card, so splitting payments can help avoid that.
Expiration: Alipay TourCard (180 days) and WeChat’s prepaid service both expire at trip’s end. Unused balances on TourCard will automatically refund to your card after expiration[21].

6. Where Alipay/WeChat Pay Are Accepted in Shanghai

Mobile payment is ubiquitous in Shanghai. Nearly all merchants accept Alipay and WeChat Pay[22], including restaurants, cafés, convenience stores (e.g. 7-11, FamilyMart), supermarkets, malls, street vendors, and even small vendors. Public transport (metro, buses, taxis) also widely accept QR payments[23]. In Shanghai, just look for the Alipay or WeChat logos at checkout. Taxis usually display a QR sticker on the dashboard; you can scan it. For metro and bus, you can use the apps’ Transport or simply scan the station’s QR code at entry/exit[20]. Online services (food delivery, train/flight booking) and major chains (Luckin Coffee, fast food, etc.) also accept mobile pay. In short, carrying cash is optional – “don’t worry, almost all merchants accept both Alipay and WeChat Pay in China”[22].

7. Safety and Privacy Considerations

Alipay and WeChat Pay are highly secure platforms run by major Chinese fintech firms (Ant Group and Tencent). They use encryption, digital certificates, and real-time fraud monitoring to protect transactions[24]. You must set a secure 6-digit PIN for payments. For added safety, enable any offered fingerprint/face lock on the app. Both apps keep your personal data in China under Chinese laws[25]; they state they only store it as long as needed and protect it with standard security measures[25][26].

To protect your privacy: only download the official apps from the app store. Do not share your Alipay/WeChat password or verification codes. Beware of phishing or fake QR codes. Use caution when on public Wi-Fi (consider using mobile data for payments). Note that Chinese regulators can access transaction data, so avoid linking these apps to highly sensitive services if that is a concern. Overall, following normal smartphone security (strong passwords, keep phone locked) will keep your payments safe[27].

8. Limitations for Foreign Tourists

No peer-to-peer transfers: As a foreign-linked account, you can pay businesses but cannot transfer money to other users or send red packets[28]. (Both apps disable transfers between users on foreign-linked accounts.)
Mainland China only: These services work throughout mainland China but not in Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan[29] (they have separate systems there).
Limited features: Certain features (like Chinese banking services or “wallet top-up”) require a Chinese bank card and remain unavailable. For example, WeChat Pay’s “Wallet Balance” can only be filled by mainland accounts[30]. You also generally cannot withdraw cash via these apps.
Re-entry and re-use: The TourCard expires after 180 days (90 days under the old “Tour Pass”), and it cannot be reused across trips. You could register a new account or wait until expiration to open another.
App updates: Keep the apps updated. Sometimes new updates or app region settings are needed for features to appear.
Not foolproof: A very few merchants (especially very small or rural vendors) may still lack QR scanners or choose not to accept foreign cards[29]. Always have a backup plan (some cash or a payment app like WeChat that the merchant accepts).

By following the above steps, a first-time tourist can use Alipay and WeChat Pay in Shanghai without a Chinese bank account. The process takes only minutes, and once set up you’ll be able to pay like a local almost everywhere in the city[22][23].

Sources: Official guides and news on Alipay/WeChat international access[2][11], China travel advisories[22][23], and expert travel blogs in 2023–2025[1][6][31] were consulted. All cited information is current as of 2025.