Guide to an essential: Alipay 📲

Alipay is essential if you are travelling to China. This super app will be useful for many things, but there are two features that make it truly indispensable: making payments and using public transport.

When you download it and open it for the first time, you’ll see a home screen full of icons. To our eyes, used to more minimal Western apps, this can feel chaotic or overwhelming, but this is very common in China. There, the norm is to have very powerful apps with multiple integrated functions, often through what they call mini apps.

In this image, I explain what each icon is for:

Setting Up Your AliPay Account

Before you leave, I recommend setting up the app with your personal details and credit card information. Alipay accepts Visa and Mastercard. You can make payments in yuan without commission (through the app) as long as they do not exceed ¥200. Beyond this amount, a commission of 3% applies.

To fill in your personal information, follow these steps:

To enter your card details, if this is your first time using the app, you may see an image of a card that you can tap to start the setup process directly. If not, just go to the “Pay” icon in the top menu, and from there you’ll be able to add your card without any issues.

🚇 How to Use AliPay for Public Transport

My favorite feature of AliPay is its ability to help you navigate public transportation in any city without needing to go through ticket offices or buy special tickets. Every time you arrive in a new city, there’s a small procedure to follow, but it’s very simple and can be done in less than a minute. Check out these infographics for guidance:

With this information, you can now use AliPay to make payments and navigate public transport. If you feel comfortable with it, I encourage you to explore more of what this app has to offer, like taking one of HelloRide's bikes! 😉

一路顺风 (yī lù shùn fēng, may the wind be favorable to you on your journey!)