Cash is barely used in China and foreign cards are rarely accepted directly. Alipay fixes that: you link your own card and pay by QR code like a local.
What Alipay can do
Step by step
For a foreigner Alipay is usually easier than WeChat: signup needs no friend’s confirmation, and the DiDi, metro and delivery mini-programs work straight away.
QR payments
Shops, cafés, markets, vending machines — anywhere you see the blue code.
Transit
A transit QR code for metro and buses in many cities — Transport on the home screen.
Taxis and delivery
DiDi and food delivery open as mini-programs — no separate apps needed.