Alipay has partnered with the city of Xi’an to improve payment options and tourist experience. International tourists can now link their foreign cards to Alipay or use compatible e-wallets. They can also receive digital red packets that give them discounts at various merchants. In 2024, Alipay transaction volume from international tourists visiting Xi’an increased nearly sevenfold.
XI’AN — Alipay has announced it is working with Xi’an, a world-famous ancient city in Shaanxi province known for its Terracotta Warriors, to launch the “International Consumer-Friendly Tourist Destination” initiative. With the revival of inbound tourism to China, the initiative aims to improve the travel and shopping experience of international visitors to Xi’an and revitalize the city’s tourism industry.
With the support and guidance of local authorities, Alipay is working with partners in Xi’an, including tourist destinations, hotels, restaurants and public transport, to improve payment and digital services for international travelers.
International visitors can link their international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover® or Diners Club International® credit or debit cards in the Alipay app to easily make payments at a range of mainland China merchants within the Alipay merchant network.
Besides paying like a local with Alipay, international tourists can also use their home country’s e-wallets while traveling in China, including AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), MPay (Macau SAR, China), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Hipay (Mongolia), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Naver Pay (South Korea), Toss Pay (South Korea), TrueMoney (Thailand), NayaPay (Pakistan) and Kaspi.kz (Kazakhstan).
Following the successful introduction of digital red envelopes, which international tourists could receive by scanning a QR code in Huangshan ahead of the 2024 May Day holiday, Alipay is expanding its services. Effective immediately and until June 30, international visitors to Xi’an can use their digital red envelopes for discounts on offline purchases across China. Participating merchants include tourist attractions such as Datang Furong Garden and Chang’an Longest Sun Theme Park, chain restaurants such as Lan Xiangzi, tea brands such as Chahua Nong, food streets such as Yongxingfang, and subway and bus stations.
Tourism Statistics
According to Alipay statistics, in the first four months of 2024, the transaction volume of overseas visitors using Alipay in Xi’an increased by nearly seven times compared to the same period last year. According to the data, the top ten tourist attractions where overseas visitors pay with Alipay are Datang All-Japan Shopping Mall, Datang Furong Garden, Qinshihuang Mausoleum Relics Museum, Huashan Bell and Drum Tower, Daming Palace National Heritage Park, Huaqing Palace, Tangxi Market Museum, Yongxingfang, and Hancheng Lake Scenic Area.
Through collaboration with industry partners, Alipay provides tourists around the world with convenient and secure mobile payment services, as well as a range of travel services that enhance their travel experience in China. These easily accessible services, which can be accessed directly from the Alipay homepage, include online translation, ride-hailing, public transport, hotel booking, train ticket booking and more.
“Alipay looks forward to working with more partners to enhance the payment and travel experience for domestic and international tourists. We aim to support more local tourist destinations and commercial districts to create a welcoming travel and shopping experience for tourists from all over the world,” said Li Jiajia, group vice president of Alipay’s Alipay business group at Ant Group.
Theodore is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the TravelDailyNews Media Network and is responsible for business development and planning long-term opportunities for TravelDailyNews.
