Metro and bus codes

In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu, you can tap an eligible overseas contactless bank card at metro gates across the whole network, with no Chinese app. Accepted cards and conditions differ by city, and it is not nationwide:

• Beijing: UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB, at all gates on all lines, including the two airport express lines.
• Shanghai: UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB, at any gate. Turn on password-free payment for small transactions; Type-B chip cards and cards without ODA are excluded.
• Guangzhou: UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB, at all stations, on gates showing the card logo.
• Shenzhen: UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB, at all gates since 10 Sep 2026. Turn on small-value password-free payment.
• Chengdu: UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard and American Express, at all stations and gates, including trams. Turn on small-value password-free payment.

Card lists change; check the city's official notice.

Still set up the Alipay or WeChat Transport QR after your wallet works. Many buses, and metros outside these five cities, may not take a foreign bank card tap, so check locally. Keep a single-journey ticket or a little cash as backup.

Do not treat this as nationwide, and do not confuse a foreign bank-card tap with Alipay/WeChat ride codes.