Beijing is a highly digital city, but an international visitor no longer has to manage everything through a Chinese application. Metro gates accept five major types of foreign bank card, and airport service counters assist with mobile connectivity, payments and ticket reservations.
Since September 2024, every Beijing metro station has accepted foreign bank cards for buying a ticket and for direct passage through the gate. A supported contactless card or a phone linked to an eligible card can be used. The same card must be presented on entry and exit.
Cash in yuan remains legal tender, although mobile payments are widespread in daily use. Foreign cards can be linked to selected payment applications. In 2026, the city also introduced GO BEIJING, which includes a travel wallet for visitors from supported countries.
A local SIM card makes it easier to sign in to applications, order a car, reserve monuments and receive verification messages. It can be obtained at the airport or in the city with a passport. Before buying, confirm the validity period, data allowance and whether connection sharing is permitted.
For maps and addresses, save the Chinese names of the hotel and principal destinations. Some global services may work differently or be unavailable in mainland China. Important bookings, the accommodation address and copies of travel documents should therefore also be available offline.
The municipal portal provides current rules in several languages, and the 12345 service accepts questions from international visitors. Preparation takes little time but greatly simplifies the first day, when transport, connectivity, payments and admission tickets all need attention.
