Walling Hotel - Jiefangbei Hongyadong, Chongqing
Tourist Assistant
Alipay
China's most-used mobile payment app. Link your international card directly and pay by QR code almost everywhere.
Apps
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Download
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Features
- ✓ Direct international card binding: add Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club or Discover — no Chinese bank account needed.
- ✓ QR payments everywhere: scan the merchant's code or show your payment code in shops, restaurants, taxis and street stalls.
- ✓ Small payments fee-free: transactions of CNY 200 or less carry no fee; larger ones incur roughly 3%.
- ✓ Generous limits: after passport verification, roughly USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 per year.
- ✓ Transit QR code: ride the metro and buses in 40+ cities with Alipay's Transport code — works with a linked foreign card, no ticket needed.
- ✓ Mini-programs: hail rides, order food delivery and book tickets inside the app without installing anything else.
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How to Use
1
Download the app: get Alipay from the App Store or Google Play before or after arrival.
2
Sign up: register with your international mobile number.
3
Verify your identity: upload your passport to complete real-name verification and unlock higher limits.
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Add your card: link a Visa, Mastercard or other international card under the wallet section.
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Pay by QR: use 'Scan' to read the merchant's code and enter the amount, or show your payment code for the cashier to scan.
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Try transit and mini-programs: open the transport QR code for metro/bus, and use mini-programs for taxis and food delivery.
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FAQ
Yes. Since late 2023 you can link international cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners Club, Discover) directly and pay at merchants across China.
Payments of CNY 200 or less are fee-free; above that a fee of about 3% applies. Your card issuer may also add a currency conversion charge.
With passport verification completed, limits are roughly USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 cumulative per year.
Almost everywhere — malls, restaurants, convenience stores, taxis and even street vendors. A few small vendors only take WeChat Pay, so having both apps is wise.
No. The old Tour Pass prepaid card was discontinued in 2023 — now you simply link your international bank card directly in Alipay and pay.
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Important Notes
Keep your payment password private and always check the merchant name and amount before confirming.
International card payments may incur an extra currency conversion fee from your card issuer — check your statement.
Some small vendors accept only WeChat Pay or cash; carry a small amount of cash as backup.
Fees and limits may change. Information current as of June 2026 — check the latest official announcements.
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