Monday, August 5, 2024 Beijing is set to simplify tourist travel with a new travel pass. This pass will enable foreign visitors to purchase it using international bank cards at all 335 Beijing Subway stations and both airports. Currently, the subway system is testing this service.
Dr. Wu Liyun, a professor at the China Academy of Culture and Tourism at Beijing International Studies University, highlights, “If the pass can be integrated with Alipay, a widely-used Chinese digital payment platform, it will also save time and make it easier for foreigners to use public transportation.” To accommodate the growing number of tourists, Chinese authorities are implementing measures to enhance the tourist experience.
These measures include a new all-in-one public transportation pass and bilingual announcements in Mandarin and English at key transportation hubs, such as major railway and subway stations near tourist attractions and both airports. Tourists will be able to conveniently purchase travel cards at any Beijing Subway station using their international bank cards. The city is also exploring the possibility of implementing a credit card payment system directly at subway gates.
Singapore has already implemented a similar system with SimplyGo, a mobile application that allows commuters to link their credit cards to their phones to pay for their fare directly at the platform gate, both on trains and buses. Beijing is setting a trend nationwide to enhance the tourist experience. Other major cities, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, are introducing similar travel cards and expanding credit card acceptance for taxis.
This push comes as China experiences a surge in tourism. As of July 29, 2023, Beijing’s entry and exit ports have already surpassed the total number of travelers for all of 2023, with 10 million people passing through. By making transportation more accessible, Beijing is setting a new standard for tourist convenience, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for international visitors.
As Beijing moves forward with the implementation of this travel pass, and other major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou follow suit, foreigners traveling to China will enjoy an unprecedented tourist experience. This seamless navigation will allow them to save time and visit more exciting attractions in a day..
