Beijing introduces subway passes and bilingual services for foreign travelers

Beijing plans to introduce the Beijing Pass, an all-in-one card to enhance the convenience of subway travel for foreign visitors, as part of the city's ongoing efforts to make transportation more friendly to international travelers.

To facilitate the smooth launch of the Beijing Pass, subway stations are undergoing onsite testing, according to capital authority.

The card is expected to be available for sale at seven major train stations and two airports in the city, helping foreign passengers easily access Beijing's rail transit system.

The number of foreign visitors to Beijing increased rapidly this year, prompting the city's transportation sector to introduce measures to serve them better.

To improve payment convenience for foreign passengers, all 335 stations across the 17 lines managed by Beijing Subway have been equipped with point-of-sales machines as of June 1. These machines allow foreign passengers to purchase tickets and pay for rides using international bank cards. Additional services will gradually be provided, such as allowing MasterCard and other international cards to be used for gate access, single-trip, and supplementary ticket purchases.

In addition, Beijing Subway has conducted English training programs to enhance the bilingual service capabilities of its staff. A standardized foreign language learning manual has also been compiled for staff, covering commonly used English phrases, short sentences, security procedures, and service-related expressions.

To provide more accurate, detailed, and comprehensive information to foreign passengers, Beijing Subway has piloted the installation of multilingual translation devices at eight stations where foreign travelers frequently visit - namely, Tian'anmen West on Line 1, Dongzhimen and Beijing Railway Station on Line 2, Nanluoguxiang on Line 6, Olympic Park on Line 8, Xierqi on Line 13, Maquanying on Line 15, and Universal Resort on Batong Line and Line 7.

Furthermore, personalized bilingual announcements in both Chinese and English have been added at major train stations, airports, and subway stations near tourist attractions. These announcements are activated or switched as needed.

Li Boyu contributed to this story.