Payment · critical
Why is my Alipay not working?
Last updated:
Quick Answer
Symptom: You linked a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay but every transaction is rejected at the merchant.
Cause: The Tour Pass hasn't been topped up to the ¥150 minimum, or the merchant's terminal doesn't accept foreign-network cards.
Solution: Open Alipay → Tour Pass → Top Up with at least ¥150. If still rejected, ask the merchant to enable "international card" on the terminal.
What you see
You linked a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay but every transaction is rejected at the merchant.
Why it happens
The Tour Pass hasn't been topped up to the ¥150 minimum, or the merchant's terminal doesn't accept foreign-network cards.
How to fix
Open Alipay → Tour Pass → Top Up with at least ¥150. If still rejected, ask the merchant to enable "international card" on the terminal.
Read next
These guides cover the related functionality in full.
Alipay for Foreigners
Download Alipay, link a foreign Visa or Mastercard via the Tour Pass, and complete a $150 minimum top-up to pay at 90%+ of Chinese merchants.
Foreign Credit Cards
Foreign Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx cards work in hotels, airports, and chain restaurants but NOT in taxis, food stalls, or most shops.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank ATMs accept foreign Visa/Mastercard with a ¥2,500 per-transaction limit and 1–3% fee.
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