The mini-program of 'TourCard' collected in China's top digital payment app Alipay has opened the door to digital quick pay for short-term visitors coming to China with a valid passport and Visa. It is a kind of e-wallet set up in AliPay that allows you to load funds from your international card and make quick payments by scanning QR codes presented by the cashiers.
Now, let's see how to call out this "TourCard" from AliPay and connect it with your international bank card.
1. If you are not an AliPay user yet, search the App 'AliPay' and get it installed on your phone. (See How to register an AliPay account and set up quick pay?)
2. Open the app and search "TourCard" (no space between 'Tour' and 'Card') on the main page.
3. Tap "TourCard" shown in the list and get to its main page, select the type of the card you would like to apply for, then follow the instructions to fill out the form with the credentials about your real person and type in the amount that you want to top-up to the account, after tick up ' You agree to ....', tap 'Next' to get the process completed.
Till now, you've finished the basic steps for setting up a "TourCard" account in AliPay.
* Current promotional activitiesDuring the top-up promotion period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, any customer can enjoy a 2%(up to RMB 40) discount for service charge on their first top-up. The quota is limited, first come, first get.
Q1: What is TourCard?
TourCard is a service provided by Bank of Shanghai. lt is tailored for overseas travelers to enjoy the mobile payment across Chinese mainland simply with their overseas bank cards.
Q2: Card expiration
The TourCard is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and will be automatically frozen upon expiration. You can choose to reactivate, refund, or cancel the card. lf you choose to activate, the card will be valid again and valid for 365 days from the date of activation.
Q3: Who can apply for the service?
The service is for foreigners with International Passports. To register a card, your age should be 18 or above.
Q4: How to ensure that your passport or travel permit can successfully pass the identification?
You should make sure that your passport info page is clear, complete and within validity period.
Q5: Supported cards
Currently, we support four mainstream card schemes: VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club International, JCB. We will support American Express in the future. Please make sure that your bank card supports 3D-secure. Otherwise, the payment will not be accepted.
Q6: Service fee and exchange rate
The service will be charged 5% service fee for each top up. The exchange rate at the time of payment will be based on the real-time exchange rate of your card group and card issuer.
Q7: Top-up limitation
Currently, you can recharge up to RMB 50,000 in your TourCard. Once your recharge reaches the top limit, you cannot recharge anymore within the validity period (365 days). lf you want to recharge more, please reactivate the card upon expiration and then recharge. Your remaining amount of chargeable balance (limited by the maximum top-up amount of 50000RMB) will not reset if you apply for a refund.
Q8: What is QR code?
It is a one-time code generated when you apply for the payment. lt allows you to make instant payments by letting the merchant scan your QR code. Currently TourCard only supports UnionPay QR code payment.
Q9: Where can l use my QR code?
UnionPay QR code payment is accepted at over 30 million merchants in mainland China. You can show your QR code to the merchants with "UnionPay" logo.
Q10: Are there any limitations for payment?
1. You can only pay for transactions in Chinese mainland
2. You can not transfer money to another account
3. Does not support wealth management, red envelope, etc.
Q11: What is the single limit of TourCard?
Its single limit is RMB 5,000.
