Last Friday, Beijing began accepting contactless international MasterCard and Visa cards across its entire subway network, a first for the Chinese mainland. International visitors can tap their cards at any station gate for automatic fare calculation matching local rates.

This service covers all 27 subway lines (836 km, 490 stations), including airport lines and the Suburban Railway S2 Line. Over 20,000 facilities were upgraded to enable this, supplementing existing UnionPay and QR code payments to improve tourist convenience. Officials highlighted the time saved compared to cash purchases or manual counters.

The initiative underscores Beijing's commitment to high-level opening-up as an international hub.

In support of the upgrade, an international version of the Yitongxing app for foreign phone numbers and IDs will soon launch.

Beijing welcomed nearly two million inbound visitors from January to July, a 227.9 percent year-on-year increase.

Approximately 18,000 city businesses now accept foreign cards.