The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is redefining cross-border convenience. With just one mobile payment code, residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China can now seamlessly travel, dine, shop, and play across cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and beyond—without the hassle of currency exchange or cash.
For 90s-born Macao resident Liang Shanhen, a recent trip to his hometown in Zhuhai was effortless. After enjoying fresh seafood at a local village restaurant, he tapped his phone to hail a ride through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link and met friends in Shenzhen—all while paying with MPay (Macao Wallet).
“From dining to transportation, everything is just a scan away,” Liang said. “I don’t need to open a mainland bank account anymore. Payments are deducted directly from my Macao account—simple, clear, and efficient.”
This seamless experience is no longer an exception—it’s becoming the norm.
The Rise of Cashless Cross-Border Living
Hong Kong resident Daisy Tai recently spent a full day in Zhuhai—no cash in hand. She boarded the bus at the Hong Kong port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, scanned her ticket, dined with friends, went shopping, played escape room games, and even got a manicure—all paid via AlipayHK, linked to her Hong Kong bank card.
“I come to Guangdong almost every month,” she said. “The ease of mobile payments makes it feel like I’m just traveling within one city.”
This shift reflects the accelerating formation of the GBA’s “one-hour living circle.” Enhanced infrastructure—like high-speed rail and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge—combined with streamlined immigration policies, has led to surging cross-border mobility.
👉 Discover how digital wallets are transforming regional spending habits.
According to Zhuhai Border Inspection, as of April 27, 2025, over 10 million passengers had crossed through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge—25 days faster than in 2024. At Hengqin Port, passenger volume hit 10 million by May 7, up 32% year-on-year, driven by favorable policies in the Hengqin-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.
With more people moving freely comes greater demand for food, accommodation, shopping, and entertainment. Data from Zhuhai’s Bureau of Commerce shows that from January 1 to May 31, 2025, “Macao vehicles going north” averaged 2,335 daily trips, while “Hong Kong vehicles going north” averaged 2,855.
“Cross-border consumption by Hong Kong and Macao residents is clearly boosting Zhuhai’s retail economy,” said a bureau official. “Affordable prices and diverse product offerings remain key drivers.”
Breaking Down Payment Barriers
Just a few years ago, cross-border payments were far from smooth. Liang recalled trying to open a mainland bank account with his Macao ID—rejected by three banks before finally succeeding after submitting extensive paperwork.
Even after getting an account, topping it up required multiple steps: exchanging MOP to RMB, transferring funds across borders, then linking them to Alipay. Now, with MPay widely accepted across Guangdong cities, he pays directly from his Macao wallet—no intermediaries needed.
This transformation stems from deep collaboration among technical platforms and regulatory frameworks across the region.
Since April 2025, a tripartite partnership between Guangzhou Metro Group, Ant Group’s Alipay+, and Macao Pass has enabled Macao residents to use MPay for public transit in Guangzhou and Foshan—including subways, buses, trams, and even ferry services.
“Over the past year, Hong Kong users made more than 10 million cross-border trips using AlipayHK,” said Li Yonshi, General Manager of Ant International’s Greater China Region. “The ‘Three Wallets Interoperability’ initiative allows users of Alipay, AlipayHK, and MPay to enjoy unified payment experiences across multiple GBA cities.”
Beyond retail and dining, services like shared power banks, massage chairs, arcade machines, and luggage lockers now support these wallets via Alipay+’s “one-to-many” deployment technology—enabling nearly 200 cross-border mini-programs to reach international users seamlessly.
Expanding Into Daily Life Scenarios
The integration isn’t stopping at shopping and transit. New policies are further easing movement:
- Shenzhen residents can now apply for multiple entries to Hong Kong.
- Zhuhai residents enjoy weekly access to Macao.
- Hengqin residents have unrestricted entry to Macao.
Meanwhile, plans for “Guangdong vehicles going south” are underway—allowing eligible private cars from Guangdong to enter Hong Kong via the bridge without traditional quotas.
And soon, electronic wallets may extend into healthcare and government services. Imagine booking a medical appointment in Hong Kong with your mainland-linked Alipay or filing cross-border tax forms via MPay—efforts are already underway to make this a reality.
Richer Consumer Experiences Across the Region
At PO PARK Oriental Baotai Shopping Mall in Guangzhou East Railway Station, a themed event called “Egg Friends Meetup” draws crowds—including arriving Hong Kong and Macao travelers who walk straight from the train platform into the mall.
“The layout integrates rail transit and retail,” said mall president Ye Songxi. “We’ve actively promoted cross-border payment solutions in all stores and launched targeted promotions via WeChat.”
Since the spring Canton Fair, the mall has partnered with Alipay+ on a campaign where scanning QR codes on posters unlocks discount vouchers—offering instant rebates for users of AlipayHK and MPay.
Downstairs at TOP TOY, a trendy toy chain store, shelves brim with collectible figures—from domestic cultural IPs to global franchises. Young shoppers browse casually; some spend hundreds on blind boxes before catching their train back to Hong Kong.
“Blind box culture and ‘guzi’ (character merchandise) are hot trends,” said store manager Li Jiayao. “Mainland stores offer better variety and value—it’s become part of the travel ritual.”
Similar scenes unfold during holidays: during the 2025 May Day break, cross-border spending surged at chains like Hema Fresh, MINISO, POP MART, and Shenzhen Tong. Services like dental cleanings, cosmetic procedures, and gas refueling also ranked high among consumer choices.
👉 See how local businesses are tapping into cross-border spending trends.
FAQs: Your Cross-Border Payment Questions Answered
Q: Can I use my Hong Kong Alipay (AlipayHK) in mainland China?
A: Yes. AlipayHK is accepted in major cities across the GBA—including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai—for transportation, dining, shopping, and more.
Q: Do I need a mainland bank account to pay with MPay or AlipayHK?
A: No. Both wallets allow direct deductions from your local Hong Kong or Macao accounts without requiring a Chinese RMB account.
Q: Are there spending limits for cross-border transactions?
A: Yes. Daily transaction caps apply based on wallet type and linked financial institutions. Users should check their app settings for exact limits.
Q: Is my personal data safe when using these wallets across borders?
A: All platforms comply with regional data protection regulations. Transactions are encrypted and monitored for fraud prevention.
Q: Can mainland users pay easily in Hong Kong or Macao?
A: Absolutely. Mainland Alipay users can pay in Hong Kong using WeChat Pay or Alipay—currency conversion happens automatically at checkout.
Q: What future services might support cross-border wallets?
A: Ongoing efforts aim to integrate wallets into healthcare appointments, public utilities, parking fees, and government service platforms.
Building a Unified Consumer Ecosystem
As Ye Songxi suggests, the next step is deeper merchant collaboration—joint promotions, shared loyalty programs, and co-branded events that enrich the consumer journey beyond isolated discounts.
“The goal isn’t just convenience—it’s creating compelling reasons for people to explore more of what the GBA offers,” he said.
With frictionless payments as the foundation, the Greater Bay Area is evolving into a truly integrated economic and lifestyle zone—where one code unlocks endless possibilities.
👉 Explore how financial innovation powers regional connectivity today.