Does Alipay work in China? (2026)

Short answer: Yes. Alipay works normally in China and accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. Verified 24 October 2026.

On Chinese networks (local SIM, hotel Wi-Fi)	Works
On a travel eSIM or roaming	Works

What this means for your trip

Is Alipay blocked in China?

No. Alipay works normally in China and accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. Check this page's verified date above, because access can change without notice.

Does Alipay work with an eSIM or roaming?

On a travel eSIM or home roaming, Alipay works as usual, because the data is routed outside mainland China.

No workaround needed. If you also rely on Google, WhatsApp or Instagram, those are blocked on Chinese networks: see what works and what's blocked.

How do I get Alipay before I fly?

Install Alipay and sign in before you fly. Google Play does not work on Chinese networks, so do not leave downloads for when you land. Get it from the official site, global.alipay.com, or your phone's app store. Then open the app once at home to check it runs. Our list of apps to install before you fly shows the order to do it in.

Blocked status follows Freedom House's Freedom on the Net 2025; you can test any site yourself on GreatFire.org, which checks access from inside China every day. Full picture: Internet in China and the apps to install before you fly.

FAQ

Is Alipay blocked in China?

No. Alipay works normally in China and accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard cards.

Does Alipay work with an eSIM or roaming in China?

On a travel eSIM or home roaming, Alipay works as usual, because the data is routed outside mainland China.

How do I get Alipay before I fly to China?

Install Alipay and sign in before you fly. Google Play does not work on Chinese networks, so do not leave downloads for when you land.

Next steps for your trip

1. Get a China eSIMGoogle, WhatsApp & Instagram keep working · affiliate link 2. Install the must-have appsBefore you fly: some are hard to get in China 3. Set up AlipayLink your Visa or Mastercard before you fly Stuck? Ask a real personWhatsApp / WeChat · paid help from $15

Last verified 24 October 2026. Official site: https://global.alipay.com/. Sources: [1] [2] . Access can change without notice; tell us if you see something different.