On October 14, a reporter from China News Service in Beijing learned from the city’s transportation department that, since the second half of this year, Beijing has consistently introduced measures to facilitate services for foreigners, further enhancing its level of openness and receiving positive feedback from expatriates.
On September 13, Beijing became the first city in mainland China to allow foreign bank cardholders to use their cards for subway access. Foreign visitors no longer need to purchase tickets or download apps; they can simply use their foreign-issued Mastercard or Visa cards to enter the subway, gaining access to Beijing’s 27 urban rail lines and the S2 suburban railway.
As of October 13, marking one month since this service launched, Fang Zhiwei, General Manager of Beijing Rail Transit Network Management Company, shared that by midnight on October 12, a total of 46,000 foreign card users had passed through the gates, purchased single tickets, or made fare adjustments at self-service machines. The busiest lines for these transactions were the Beijing Subway Lines 1, 2, 5, and 8, as well as the Batong Line.
In response to the payment habits of expatriates and to enhance their travel and cultural experiences, Beijing introduced the “BEIJING PASS” card on July 31. This card can be used not only on Beijing’s rail transit and bus systems but also in trams, suburban railways, the airport express, taxis, and over 300 public transport systems nationwide. Additionally, it can be used to make purchases at 30 well-known parks and scenic spots in Beijing, such as the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, as well as at 20 designated merchants like Xidan Shopping Mall.
Nie Wenhua, General Manager of Beijing Municipal Transportation Card Payment Company under Beijing Jin Kong Group, reported that since the trial launch of “BEIJING PASS,” a total of 12,979 cards have been issued. This includes 6,031 physical cards and 6,948 mobile NFC cards activated through the “SilkPass” app. The card has seen 117,000 transactions so far, with the highest usage frequency in public transport settings, and has performed well in various locations like the Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Badaling Great Wall, and various shops.
“‘BEIJING PASS’ has sparked lively discussions on overseas social media, with many users praising its elegant design, convenience, and commemorative value. This encourages us to continue improving and showcasing the intelligent and convenient development achievements of our capital city to the world,” Nie remarked.
Currently, Beijing’s transportation services for foreign users are continuously improving. There are 11 subway lines and 24 stations piloting translation devices that can convert multiple languages into voice or text. Additionally, station staff undergo regular foreign language training, allowing them to provide more precise and detailed information to passengers. Bilingual announcements in Chinese and English have been implemented across bus routes. Ride-hailing platforms like Didi and Shouqi have also launched English versions of their apps and now accept payment from major international credit cards like Mastercard and Visa.
Looking ahead, Beijing’s rail transit is set to introduce an international version of the Yitongxing app that will allow foreign passengers to register using their overseas mobile numbers and access trains via QR code. Public transport and taxi services will continually optimize their offerings for foreign passengers, promising a richer and more diverse travel experience.
