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Beijing Transportation Smart Card

Beijing Transportation Smart Card is valid for nearly all means of transportation in the city, including city buses, subway, the Airport Express Train, S2 trains, taxis, and public bicycles. There are two types of Beijing Transportation Smart Card, Beijing Yikatong Card and Beijing Hutong Card (former Jingjinji Interconnection Card) marked with "China T-Union".

Yikatong Card

Yikatong Card can not only be used to take buses, taxis, subways and express lines in Beijing, but also widely used for payments at over 40 P+R parking lots, gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, municipal bill payment, welfare lottery, vending machines and many other fields.

Hutong Card

Hutong Card can be used to take public transportation in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and other over 300 cities in the country. You can travel in popular cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, Kunming, Sanya, Chengdu and so on with just one card.

List of Supported Cities

Provinces, Autonomous Region, municipalities	Supported Cities
Beijing	Beijing buses & subways
Tianjin	Tianjin buses & subways
Hebei	Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, Handan, Xingtai, Baoding, Zhangjiakou, Chengde, Cangzhou, Langfang, Hengshui
Shanxi	Taiyuan, Datong, Yangquan, Changzhi, Jincheng, Shuozhou, Jinzhong, Yuncheng, Xinzhou, Linfen, Lvliang
Inner Mongolia	Hohhot, Baotou, Wuhai, Erdos, Xilin Gol Meng
Liaoning	Shenyang, Dalian, Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Dandong, Jinzhou, Yingkou, Fengxin, Liaoyang, Panjin, Tieling, Chaoyang, Huludao
Jilin	Changchun, Jilin, Siping, Liaoyuan, Tonghua, Baihsan, Songyuan, Baicheng, Yanbian Chaoxianzu (Korean) Autonomous Prefecture
Heilongjiang	Harbin, Qiqihar, Jixi, Hegang, Shuangyashan, Daqing, Yichun, Jiamusi, Qitaihe, Mudanjiang, Heihe, Suihua
Shanghai	Shanghai buses, metros & ferries
Jiangsu	Nanjing, Wuxi, Xuzhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong, Lianyungang, Huai’an, Yancheng, Yanghzou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, Suqian
Zhejiang	Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Quzhou, Taizhou
Anhui	Hefei, Wuhu, Bengbu, Huainan, Ma’anshan, Huaibei, Tongling, Anqing, Huangshan, Chuzhou, Fuyang, Suzhou, Liu’an, Haozhou, Chizhou. Xuancheng
Fujian	Fuzhou, Xiamen, Putian, Sanming, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Nanping, Longyan, Ningde, Pingtan
Jiangxi	Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Pingxiang,Jiujiang, Xinyu, Yingtan, Ganzhou, Jian, Yichun, Fuzhou, Shangrao
Shandong	Jinan, Qingdao, Zaozhuang, Dongying, Yantai, Weifang, Jining, Taian, Weihai, Rizhao, Linyi, Dezhou, Liaocheng, Binzhou, Heze
Henan	Zhengzhou, Xuchang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Anyang, Hebi, Xinxiang, Jiaozuo, Puyang, Luohe, Sanmenxia, Nanyang, Shangqiu, Xinyang, Zhoukou, Zhumadian, Jiyuan
Hubei	Wuhan, Huangshi, Shiyan, Yichang, Xiangyang, Ezhou, Jinmen, Xiaogan, Jinzhou, Huanggang, Xianning, Suizhou, Enshi
Hunan	Changsha, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Hengyang, Shaoyang, Yueyang, Changde, Zhangjiajie, Yiyang, Bangzhou, Yongzou, Huaihua, Loudi, Xiangxi
Guangdong	Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shaoguan, Zhuhai, Shantou, Jiangmen, Zhanjiang, Maoming, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Meizhou, Shanwei, Heyuan, Yangjiang, Qingyuan, Zhongshan, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Yunfu
Guangxi	Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Baise, Hehzou, Hechi, Laibin, Chongzuo
Hainan	Haikou, Sanya, Danzhou
Chongqing	Chongqing buses and rail transit
Sichuan	Chengdu, Zigong, Panzhihua, Luzhou, Deyang, Minayang, Guangyuan, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Nanchong, Meishan, Yibin, Guang’an, Dazhou, Ya’an, Bazhong, Ziyang, Aba, Ganzi, Liangshan
Yunnan	Kunming, Qujing, Yuxi, Baoshan, Shaotong, Lijiang, Puer, Lincang, Xhuxiong, Hehong, Wenshan, Dehong, Nvjiang, Deqing
Shaanxi	Xi'an, Tongchuan, Baoji, Xianyang, Weinan, Yan’an, Hanzhong, Yulin, Ankang, Shangluo, Yangling, Xixian New Area
Gansu	Lanzhou, Jinchang, Baiyin, Weiwu, Zhangye, Pingliang, Jiuquan, Qingyang, Longnan
Qinghai	Xining, Haidong, Huangnan, Yushu, Haixi
Ningxia	Yinchuan, Shizuishan, Wuzhong, Guyuan
Xinjiang	Urumqi, Hami, Altay Prefecture

Ticket Discount for Card Holders

Buses: 50% off in downtown area, 20% off outside downtown area

Subways:
20% off for the rides when the total expenditure is CNY100-150;
50% off for the rides when the total expenditure is CNY150-400;
No discount for rides when the total expenditure is over CNY400.

Note: The cumulative record of the expenditures is cleared at the end of each natural month and will be re-cumulated in the next natural month.

Where to get one and top up

The way to get and top up the two kinds of cards is mostly the same. It will be pretty convenient to use an e-card when you have a phone number of China’s mainland and a WeChat, Alipay or Apple Pay account, if you don’t, it is advised to apply for a physical one at the service centers by following the guide below.

Get a physical card

Foreign users can take their passports and go to the customer service center in Dongzhimen (address listed in the below chart) to apply for a deposit card. A refundable deposit of CNY20 is needed and no less than CNY20 for the first top-up.

To top up the physical card, users can go to the service centers and self-service machines at subway stations. The card balance should be less than CNY1,000.

Get an e-card online

Download “北京一卡通”(Beijing Yikatong) APP and apply for a card without any deposit or service fee. Users can top up online with Apple Pay, Alipay and WeChat Pay.

How to Use the Card

Bus: Swipe the card or your phones when boarding the bus. If the door for disembarking has a card reader, it is necessary to swipe again when exiting the bus.

Subway: Swipe when entering and exiting the subway station.

S2 Train to Badaling Great Wall: swipe when entering and exiting the railway station

Taxi: swipe on the card reader near the taximeter.

Subway Check-in Counter

Exit of Subway

How to Return the Card

Return an e-card
Users can refund their cards online through the app. The card balance will be refunded to the accounts within 5 weekdays.

Return a physical card
Card holders can go to the service centers to return the card.

Note: The card balance should not be more than CNY200 when returning the card.

The following are some picked service centers where passengers can apply for, top up and return a card there.

Service Centers	Location	Service Hours
Yikatong Dongzhimen Service Center	Dongzhimen Transportation Hub, Dongcheng District	8:30-19:30
Yikatong Xidan Service Center	No.45, Inside Fuxingmen, Xicheng District	8:30-19:30
Daxing Airport Subway Station of Daxing Airport Express Line	Daxing Airport Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Xinfadi Subway Station of Line 19	Xinfadi Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Jishuitan Subway Station of Line 19	Jishuitan Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Washousi Subway Station of Line 16	Washousi Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Jingtai Subway Station of Line 14	Jingtai Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Wangjing Subway Station of Line 14	Wangjing Subway Station	The same as the subway line
Haidian Hangzhuang Subway Station of Line 4	Haidian Hangzhuang Subway Station	The same as the subway line
East Andingmen	East Andingmen Bus Stop (Bus No. 328)	7:00-19:00
Wuluju	Wuluju Bus Station	7:00-19:00
South Liuliqiao	South Liuliqiao Bus Station	7:00-19:00

- Last updated on Nov. 07, 2024 by Gabby Li -

Questions & Answers on Beijing Transportation Smart Card

Asked by Eric from INDONESIA | Nov. 05, 2024 20:33

Usage of Beijing Pass in Beijing

Hello, i am foreigner planning to visit beijing on December. from what i read online, some of scenic spot on beijing need to be book on advance, like Tian An Men, Summer Palace, etc. then i saw there is Beijing Pass that can be used by foreigner to purchase scenic spot tickets. my question is, do i still need to purchase in advance using this Beijing Pass or i can just purchase it on spot then use it on the same day using this Beijing Pass? thank you in advance

Answers (4)

Answered by Jin | Nov. 06, 2024 15:28

Booking any of scenic spots in Tiananmen Square area is required to enter the square. It's very strict. None of the these spots are on the list for Beijing Pass.

Beijing City announced that they are committed to improve foreign tourists conditions. International phone numbers can now be used WeChat reservation system for the palace. It wasn't possible during my visit in end of last year. National Museum was possible back then.

Summer Palace is worth a visit. Reservation is unnecessary unless it is a busy day.

Beijing Pass is a sold card while basic Yikatong with China T-Union logo is a loan card.

Answered by Jin | Nov. 06, 2024 15:36

What worries me is that the weather in Beijing in winter time. It's very cold there.

I think it is better to visit intermediate city before entering Beijing like Shanghai or Hangzhou. Get winter clothes there.

Answered by Eric | Nov. 06, 2024 19:20

Hello, Jin. thank you for replying.
yes, tiananmen square is not on the list on beijing pass and need to be booked in advance on wechat mini program. last week i have tried to book on wechat mini program using my country phone number but it end up with error because they still require me to provide chinese mobile number. inside tiananmen square also have some scenic spots too, do i need to book each of their scenic spots separately? or just book tiananmen square is enough to cover scenic spot inside tiananmen square?

i plan to go to Beijing on early December, should not be busy day yet since it is not a blackout date. but this is some kind of gambling if i didnt book in advance. is it okay if i book tickets using chinese app? is there any difference on price for adult foreigner and local?

i have been to harbin before so i am safe on winter clothes, and plan to bought some too on beijing.

thanks in advance!

Answered by Jin | Nov. 07, 2024 17:55

Tiananmen Square area has 7 different scenic spots. Making reservation on any of these, then you can go through security check points of the square. Once you're inside the square, you may apply for on the spot ticket of another scenic spot if there is a vacancy, I think. You cannot apply for the ticket outside the square on the same day. They won't let you go through security check point.

Last December, I prepared China tour before entering China. I tried to make reservation with WeChat for National Museum and the palace with my +82 phone number. National Museum was success, the palace was not. I made reservation for the palace on international online tour agency.

I arrived Beijing in the afternoon, after lunch I went to Summer Palace and bought ticket there. Some spots inside were icy. Overall, it had a lot of nature, I had good time.

Next day, I went to Temple of Heaven, National Museum. Museum was too big and a lot of people, not worth it, but it is good way of entering the square. I saw over 100 people making line to wait for the museum. I was told not to wait there. I had lunch nearby dumplings restaurant. I went to Tiananmen without restriction. I went in to the palace. It was too big and tiring. Almost no nature, and many people are there. Back garden was nice but too little for the size of the palace. I went Jingshan Park, it was nicer. I took Didi to Juyongguan Great Wall, it was nice and met some Indonesian people doing group tour.

Asked by Irene from MALAYSIA | Oct. 29, 2024 08:19

Hutong card

Can I top up or request refund in Xi'an if I bought the card in Beijing? The hutong card is also known as China pass, correct?

Also can I top up the physical card via silk pass app? Can I use the app on Android as I can't seem to find it in play store

Thanks!

Answers (2)

Answered by Emily | Oct. 30, 2024 01:46

Sorry, you can only get the refund at the service centers in Beijing or through the App online. The international version of Hutong Card is called Beijing Silk Pass. I see other's share that he top up the physical card with silk pass app. You can have a try.

Answered by Jin | Oct. 30, 2024 03:13

Using a transportation card in China is recommended. Yes. Most of Chinese cities offering, travellers are unlikely to save money with it. It is just for conveniency. For Beijing transportation card is needed more.

China is a huge country. China T-Union is just for using the card with leftover balance. Topping up outside the city is impossible. Getting a refund is same result. It's impossible out of city.

Silkpass is government side app which is not good enough. It requires either Chinese phone number or email address. Most of international email servers are blocked by China Great Firewall. Yikatong web site is also blocked by Great China Firewall. Registration should be avoided as much as possible anyway.

If you are thinking of getting a refund, then it is better to buy a basic Yikatong card, which is a loan card. You will probably get 5 to 10 Yuan savings with it.

Beijing Subway started accepting Visa or MasterCard as payment methods directly on ticket gates. But it is China. It may take more time to settle down. More successful reviews are needed to recommending to new visitors.

Asked by Aa from SINGAPORE | Oct. 13, 2024 21:58

Beijing Yikatong Physical Card Purchase.

Can i purchase the Beijing Yikatong card at Beixinjiao?

Answers (3)

Answered by Rita | Oct. 14, 2024 22:40

As I know, foreigners should go to the Dongzhimen service center on 1F of the Dongzhimen transportation hub to buy the bus.

Answered by Jin | Oct. 16, 2024 23:29

You mean Beixinqiao Station, transfer station between Line 5 and Capital Airport Line?

There are two service desks at Line 5 and one in Airport Line. They may sell you a card. It is Chinese Central and Beijing City government policy to improve foreign travellers experience in China for more travellers to come.

Answered by Aasta | Oct. 18, 2024 00:58

Thank you for the information shared, appreciated. I will drop by at Line 5 Station.

Asked by Wong YM from SINGAPORE | Oct. 07, 2024 01:08

Tianjin & Xi'an can use Beijing Pass?

Hi, can we use this Beijing pass in other area like Tianjin and Xi'an? If not, then we probably have to refund it before we leave Beijing. Do they have the children Beijing pass? My kids in 8 and 10 years old.

Answers (1)

Answered by Jin | Oct. 08, 2024 14:17

You can probably use Beijing Pass in Tianjin and Xi'an for riding public transportation, because it is a China T-Union card. Chinese news says China T-Union card in all of China T-Union cities, but in reality, it's not the case. Each cities have to update their system, which takes a lot of time. However during COVID era, workers relating to this worked hard to improve the system. I estimate to be average China T-Union card can be used in 90 percent of cases by now.

It is convenient to use China T-Union transportation card. Limitation is that you can only top it up and get a refund at the city the card is issued. Without careful preparation, a person can end up buying multiple China T-Union cards. Or if you top it up too much, remaining balance can be in huge figure.

China T-Union card from major cities doesn't require registration which is good.

Register something in China, then come back later, it may cause headache. Changed passport number, changed SIM card, changed mobile device may cause unexpected malfunction. If they want old numbers, or you have to make phone call in Chinese.

I'm visiting China now, Didi app isn't connecting to my Alipay account unlike my previous visit around New Year of this year. I got my phone repaired from inside, everything got reset.

Alipay say these phone numbers are different
+82-10-1234-5678
+82-010-1234-5678

Didi says they are the same. Actually they are. Payment assistant center in Qingdao Airport was not helping at all. They were speaking only in Chinese.

Asked by Alex from SINGAPORE | Sep. 29, 2024 02:46

Beijing Pass and Yikatong Card

Planning to travel to Beijing, Hangzhou and Tianjin, The two cards seems similar and may i know which card is preferred to buy?

Answers (3)

Answered by Jin | Sep. 29, 2024 20:59

Things concerning with Yikatong and Beijing Pass are still unclear. Yikatong issuer's web site is blocked by Chinese government. Things to consider are that:

1. Loan card vs. Sold card
Loan card is better if the price are the same. Transportation card could be stopped working, getting a refund is best solution.

2. Unanimous card vs. registered card. Especially for temporary visitors it is better to avoid registration as much as possible.

3. Shopping function. It is better to have one.

Answered by Jin | Sep. 30, 2024 16:21

Basic Yikatong card with China T-Union logo is a loan card. For Beijing Pass, it is unclear. No Chinese News mention this. According to an article written by Chinese tour guide, it sounds to be sold card. I think it should be a loan card like basic Yikatong.

Beijing Pass is an anonymous card, but they may check your passport to confirm that you are a foreign tourist.

Basic Yikatong used to be an anonymous card. At the peak of China's DZCP, many Chinese cities implemented real name policy for their subways. After end of DZCP, many cities dropped the real name policy, but not Beijing. Things with Yikatong became very confusing.

During March of this Year, Beijing City made it clear to continue on real name policy. On end of March of this Year, Beijing City announced that they are committed to improve foreign tourists conveniency. On August, Beijing Pass is an answer to this policy.

Before these news, some Yikatong sales points refused to sell card to foreigners because they don't have Chinese ID card. After the announcement, all of sales points are supposed to resume selling cards to foreigners and make it unanimous. But it is unclear that, all of sales points are doing this. When Chinese news says something, it takes time to become reality.

News about Beijing Pass, also mentioned that Beijing Subway station are equipped with credit card POS machines to accept international card. But recent video filmed by Japanese, he visited 4 stations, only one station has a sign that they accept international cards. One of the station is run by BJ MTR, so it is not mentioned in the news. But Tiananmen East Station is supposed to be handling international cards.

Answered by Jin | Oct. 03, 2024 00:06

I found more evidence that Beijing Pass is a sold card. In this case, 20Yuan of card price is unrefundable.

For shopping places, there are supermarket chains like Wumart. Bakery chain of Wedome is on the list.