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LLM API·China·Global access

Alibaba Cloud DashScope

Alibaba-hosted Qwen model family with English documentation and international access.

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Founded
2009
Headquarters
China
Price range
$0.75–7.92 / 1M tokens (blended)
API format
openai

About Alibaba Cloud DashScope

DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI service hosting the Qwen model series (Qwen3, Qwen2.5, Qwen-Max). Offers both closed and open-weight variants across text, vision, and reasoning. International access is available through Alibaba Cloud's Singapore endpoint with English documentation, though some Chinese-mainland features require additional setup.

Pros

  • +Overseas node available — accessible from outside mainland China
  • +OpenAI-compatible API: openai — drop-in for existing SDK users
  • +Established 17+ years (founded 2009)

Cons

  • −Payments only via alipay, card, invoice — may block non-China billing
  • −Signup caveat: International signup via Alibaba Cloud requires KYC. Alibaba Cloud Singapore endpoint provides English console and credit-card billing.

Typical use cases

  • chat
  • chinese-model
  • cost-optimized
  • enterprise
  • open-weight
  • reasoning

Products (2)

How to sign up and get an API key

🌐 Signup from overseas (English)
Payment heads-up: International credit cards work on the -intl portal. Do NOT start on the Chinese portal — you'll need a Chinese entity + Alipay there. The -intl portal is the overseas path.

Alibaba Cloud DashScope hosts the Qwen family. Alibaba runs both a Chinese portal and an English international endpoint — overseas developers should use the international one. Here's the flow:

  1. Go to dashscope-intl.console.aliyun.com — the English international portal. NOT dashscope.console.aliyun.com (Chinese domestic).
  2. Sign up for an Alibaba Cloud International account. Email + password works; international phone numbers accepted.
  3. Add a payment method. International credit cards (Visa / Mastercard) are officially supported.
  4. Activate DashScope Model Studio under Products → Model Studio.
  5. Generate an API key under API Keys.
  6. Qwen is OpenAI-compatible — base URL is https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/compatible-mode/v1.

One-off fact most buyers miss: Alibaba Cloud International is a separate legal entity from Alibaba Cloud China. The API rates are identical, but you're contracting with the Singapore arm, which simplifies tax and data-residency conversations for non-Chinese companies.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Alibaba Cloud DashScope have an overseas node?
Yes. Alibaba Cloud DashScope operates at least one overseas endpoint, so developers outside mainland China can reach the API without a VPN.
What API formats does Alibaba Cloud DashScope support?
Alibaba Cloud DashScope exposes openai-compatible endpoints, so existing client SDKs (openai-python, openai-node, LangChain, etc.) work with a base-URL swap.
When was Alibaba Cloud DashScope founded?
Alibaba Cloud DashScope was founded in 2009.
What payment methods does Alibaba Cloud DashScope accept?
Alibaba Cloud DashScope accepts alipay, card, invoice. Check the provider's billing docs for mainland vs. international top-up rules.
How much does Alibaba Cloud DashScope cost?
Alibaba Cloud DashScope has 2 public pricing tiers tracked in this directory. Open the Products section on this page for current per-token or per-hour rates.

Try Alibaba Cloud DashScope?

We may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page. Learn more.

Visit Alibaba Cloud DashScope →