First-Time in Xi’an: How I Figured Out Alipay as a Foreign Visitor

Landing in Xi’an felt like stepping into a living history book. The ancient city walls, the scent of lamb skewers wafting through Muslim Quarter, the terracotta warriors staring at me from 2,000 years in the past—I was buzzing with excitement. But then came the first reality check: I pulled out my credit card to pay for a taxi, and the driver just shook his head, pointing to a QR code sticker on his dashboard. “Alipay only,” he said in broken English.

Panic hit. I’d heard China was a cashless society, but I didn’t realize how cashless. By day two, I was fumbling with yuan coins to buy a bottle of water, only to have the vendor wave them away. That’s when I knew: surviving (and actually enjoying) Xi’an as a foreigner meant mastering Alipay. Here’s my step-by-step guide—no jargon, just the real stuff I wish I’d known before arriving.

Why Alipay? (Hint: It’s Not Just for Buying Stuff)

Back home, I use Apple Pay or a credit card for everything. But in Xi’an? Even street vendors, bus drivers, and small museum ticket booths expect digital payments. Cash is accepted sometimes, but it’s a hassle—coins are heavy, and smaller shops often can’t break large bills. Credit cards? Almost useless outside big hotels or chain restaurants.

First-Time in Xi’an: How I Figured Out Alipay as a Foreign Visitor

Alipay, though? It’s everywhere. It’s like a wallet, a boarding pass, a bus ticket, and a restaurant reservation app all rolled into one. But here’s the catch: as a foreigner, you can’t just sign up with an email. You need to verify your passport. That’s the hurdle I almost didn’t clear—but once I did, traveling got 10x easier.

Step 1: Download Alipay (And Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Apps)

First things first: get the real Alipay app. On my phone (an iPhone, but it’s the same for Android), I searched “Alipay” in the App Store. There are a lot of copycats, so look for the one with the blue icon and “支付宝” (Alipay) written on it. The developer is “Alipay (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd.”—that’s the real one.

Pro tip: If you’re in China, your phone might automatically switch to the Chinese App Store (if you have a local SIM). If that happens, you can still download it—just make sure the app name and developer match what I mentioned.

Step 2: Sign Up—But Skip the Phone Number Part (For Now)

When you open Alipay, it’ll ask for your phone number. As a foreigner, you probably don’t have a Chinese SIM. No worries! Tap “Sign Up” and look for an option like “Sign Up with Email” or “International User.” I used my Gmail, and it worked fine.

You’ll need to create a password (make it something you can remember!) and verify your email. Easy enough. But here’s where things get tricky: the next step is verifying your identity, and that’s where most foreigners get stuck.

Step 3: The Big One—Verifying Your Foreign Passport

This is the most important part. Without verified identity, you can’t use Alipay for much—no paying for taxis, no buying tickets, no even scanning a QR code at a convenience store. Here’s exactly how I did it:

1. Open Alipay and Go to “My”: At the bottom of the app, there’s a tab labeled “我的” (My). Tap it, and you’ll see your profile picture and name.

2. Find “Real Name Verification”: In your profile, scroll down until you see a section called “账户与安全” (Account & Security) or something similar (it might be in Chinese, so look for “账户” or “实名”). Tap on “实名认证” (Real Name Verification).

3. Select “Foreigner” Option: When you start the verification process, Alipay will ask if you’re a Chinese citizen or not. Tap “Foreigner” (it might be in English or Chinese—look for “外籍” or “非中国大陆居民”).

4. Upload Your Passport: You’ll need to take a clear photo of your passport’s main page (the one with your photo, name, and nationality). Make sure the photo is well-lit, no glare, and all text is readable. I had to take three tries—first, my thumb was covering the corner; second, the photo was blurry; third, finally perfect!

5. Add a Chinese Bank Card (Optional, But Recommended): Alipay will ask if you want to link a Chinese bank card. I didn’t have one, so I skipped this step. But later, I learned that linking a card lets you add money to your Alipay balance (useful if you run out of funds on your international card). If you have a Chinese card, great—add it. If not, no sweat: you can still use Alipay to pay directly with your international credit/debit card (more on that later).

6. Wait for Approval: After uploading your passport, Alipay will review it. This took about 2 hours for me. You’ll get a notification once it’s approved. When I checked my profile, there was a little “Verified” badge next to my name—and just like that, I could use Alipay!

Step 4: How to Actually Use Alipay (Because Scanning QR Codes Can Be Intimidating)

Once verified, the fun begins. But let’s be real: the first time a vendor holds up a QR code, you might freeze. Don’t worry—here’s how it works:

Paying for Stuff (The “Scan Me” Scenario)

Most shops in Xi’an will have a QR code displayed near the register. It might be a green one (for Alipay) or a blue one (for WeChat Pay—stick to green for Alipay). Here’s what to do:

1. Open Alipay.
2. Tap the “扫一扫” (Scan) button at the top (it looks like a little square with lines).
3. Scan the shop’s QR code.
4. Enter the amount (the app might auto-fill it, but double-check!).
5. Tap “确认支付” (Confirm Payment).
6. If you linked a Chinese card, it’ll use that. If not, it’ll ask you to pay with your international card. You’ll need to enter your card details (number, expiry, CVV) and verify with a 3-D secure code (like your bank’s app or a text).

Pro tip: Some shops have a “reverse QR code” where you show the shop your Alipay code, and they scan it. To do this, open Alipay, tap “付款” (Pay), and show the QR code to the vendor. This is common at bigger stores or restaurants.

Taking the Metro or Bus

Xi’an’s metro is cheap and efficient, and you can pay for it directly with Alipay! Here’s how:

1. Open Alipay.
2. Tap the “出行” (Transport) icon (it looks like a train or bus).
3. Select “地铁” (Metro) or “公交” (Bus).
4. Tap “扫码乘车” (Scan to Ride).
5. A QR code will pop up—scan it at the metro gate or bus scanner. The fare will be deducted automatically when you exit (for metro) or after you ride (for bus).

Note: You need to have some balance in your Alipay account (or a linked card) for this to work. I made the mistake of trying to ride the metro with zero balance—oops!

Buying Tickets for Tourist Spots

Want to visit the Terracotta Army or the Big Wild Goose Pagoda? You can buy tickets directly on Alipay to skip the lines!

1. Open Alipay.
2. Tap “旅游” (Travel) or search for the attraction’s name (e.g., “兵马俑” for Terracotta Army).
3. Find the ticket option, select your date and time, and pay.
4. You’ll get an e-ticket with a QR code—just show it at the entrance.

I did this for the Terracotta Army and saved at least an hour of waiting in line. Totally worth it!

Step 5: Common Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Even after verifying, I ran into a few hiccups. Here’s how to solve them:

Problem: “International Card Not Supported”

I tried to pay for a meal, and Alipay said my card wasn’t supported. Turns out, some international cards (especially from smaller banks) don’t work with Alipay. My solution? I linked my Visa credit card instead of my debit card, and it worked. If your card still doesn’t work, you can add money to your Alipay balance at a bank (like ICBC or Bank of China) and use that to pay.

Problem: “Payment Failed—Insufficient Balance”

I was buying a snack and got this error even though I had money on my card. The issue? I hadn’t set up my international card as a “default payment method.” To fix this:

1. Go to “My” → “Account & Security” → “Payment Methods.”
2. Find your international card and tap “Set as Default.”

Problem: The QR Code Is Blurry/Can’t Be Scanned

Once, a vendor’s QR code was so faded my phone couldn’t read it. I just asked them to show me a clearer one—most shops have multiple copies. If not, try moving to a brighter spot or adjusting your phone’s angle.

Bonus: Alipay Perks You Didn’t Know About

Beyond just paying, Alipay has some cool features that made my trip better:

• Coupons: Open Alipay and tap “卡包” (Wallet) → “优惠券” (Coupons). You’ll find discounts for restaurants, shops, and even attractions. I got a 20% off coupon at a Muslim Quarter restaurant!
• English Language: If Chinese is overwhelming, you can switch Alipay to English. Go to “My” → “Settings” (齿轮 icon) → “语言” (Language) → “English.”
• Hotel/Flight Booking: You can book hotels and flights directly in Alipay, just like Expedia or Booking.com. I used it to book a hotel near the city wall—super easy.

Final Thoughts: Alipay Is Your Key to Xi’an

By the end of my trip, Alipay felt like an extension of my hand. It made navigating the city—from paying for a 5-yuan bowl of noodles to buying a 200-yuan Terracotta Army ticket—seamless. The initial passport verification step seemed daunting, but it only took an hour, and once it was done, I could focus on what mattered: exploring Xi’an’s history, eating way too much lamb, and getting lost in the Muslim Quarter’s winding alleyways.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Xi’an (or China, really), don’t skip Alipay. It’s not just a payment app—it’s your ticket to feeling like a local. So download it, verify your passport, and get ready to explore. Xi’an is waiting—and now, so is your stress-free trip.