On July 28, Chengdu Metro formally launched contactless fare payment via bank cards. For passengers holding UnionPay cards and overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express cards, they can use the Chengdu Metro network by just swiping the bank card at the gate to take a ride, and and pay smoothly according to the same billing rules of other means.

This is another service upgrade in Chengdu’s transportation sector for the convenience of payment for domestic and foreign passengers. Chengdu has also become another city in the Chinese mainland, following Beijing and Shanghai, that supports direct subway entry using domestic and foreign bank cards.

From“Ticket Purchase for Entry” to“Open to International Visitors”

Chengdu Rail Transit Payment System Joins Global Network

On July 28, at the entrance of the subway gate of Tianfu Airport Terminal 1 and 2, a passenger from the United Kingdom holding a Visa card was preparing to enter the station to take the subway. Following the instructions, he placed the card in the gate sensor, and with just one swipe, he passed through in seconds.

“Great! Very simple!”he said, highlighting the convenience of using his bank card directly to ride the subway without exchanging cash for a ticket or downloading an app.

This is the first time that domestic and foreign bank cards have been enabled to directly use Chengdu’s rail transit with just a swipe at the gate.

“In the past three months, we have comprehensively upgraded more than 10,000 devices and more than 30 systems on the entire line network to ensure that the bank card swipe-payment function is launched on schedule,” according to a Chengdu metro operating company staff.

Passengers holding the UnionPay cards and overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express cards can directly swipe card to ride all of Chengdu rail transit’s metro stations and tram stops. Additionally, single-ride tickets can be purchased from metro ticket vending machines, and daily passes are available at dedicated ticket kiosks, the staff added.

Meanwhile, all kinds of bank card rides will be billed by the same rules according to the standard fare of Chengdu rail transit, according to the staff.

From“Payment Friendliness” to“Multidimensional Friendliness”

Chengdu Rail Transit Continues to Promote Convenience for Inbound Tourism

Data show that in the first half of this year, Chengdu Airport saw more than 790,000 entries of foreigners, up 58.5% over the same period of last year. The number of inbound and outbound passenger trips and flights at Chengdu Airport ranked first in the central and western regions of China.

As a city artery efficiently linking the transportation hubs of two airports and four railway stations, the metro has become one of the essential transportation means of international tourists coming to Chengdu, and its convenient“payment-friendly” experience has become a vivid testament to the openness of Chengdu.

The launch of the overseas bank card payment service for gate access allows foreign passengers to pass through by simply tapping their cards, truly achieving a“fast journey with slow sightseeing,” according to an official from Chengdu Rail Transit Group, adding that to attract more inbound tourists and convert first-time visitors into repeat travelers, the company is leveraging refined operational management to support the city’s position as a top choice for international travelers.

To further enhance the travel experience for international passengers in Chengdu, the city’s metro system has implemented bilingual guidance signs throughout the entire network, with all trains and stations providing full bilingual audio announcements. A total of 423 stations are equipped with multilingual translation devices capable of real-time translation in over ten languages. Additionally, bilingual volunteer service stations have been established at key transport hubs and popular tourist stations.

From“Passenger Flow Growth” to“Economic Growth”

Chengdu’s Extensive Network Supports Integrated Development of Culture, Commerce, Tourism, and Sports

Since the launch of the summer transportation period on July 1, passenger traffic on the Chengdu Metro has steadily increased, with an average daily ridership of 6.641 million. At Chunxi Road Station, the average daily entries of non-local tourists reached 27,000, meaning one in every five passengers entering the station is a visitor from outside the city.

For visitors to Chengdu, a more convenient rail transit network translates into a deeper urban experience.

To date, the city has launched 16 metro lines covering 672 kilometers, ranking fourth among Chinese cities in urban rail transit. The extensive metro network connects key commercial districts and cultural tourism sites across the region. The carefully crafted“Chengdu Metro Scenic Map” offers travelers a one-stop guide to exploring the city.

Metro stations have become popular check-in spots, with the accessibility of rail transit driving new growth in culture, commerce, tourism, and sports, further boosting inbound tourism in Chengdu.

The implementation of bank card payment for transit rides enables tourists to use a single card for dining, accommodation, transportation, tourism, shopping, and entertainment, achieving seamless transactions across multiple sectors and fostering the gradual conversion of increased rail transit passenger flow into economic growth, a Chengdu Metro Group official said.

Chengdu is currently accelerating the construction of the Chengdu-Deyang and Chengdu-Meishan suburban rail lines to establish a“one-hour commuting circle” across Chengdu, Deyang, and Meishan, according to the official, adding that this effort aims to enhance the concentration of cultural, commercial, tourism, and sports industries in the Chengdu metropolitan area, improving regional connectivity and overall coordination.

The official said Chendu is pushing all ongoing projects forward at full speed, striving to open four new lines with high quality within the year. Upon completion, the city’s metro network will exceed 750 kilometers in operational length, significantly strengthening its ultra-large transit system.

This will promote green, low-carbon travel and support Chengdu’s accelerated development as a world-renowned cultural tourism city and an international consumption center, continuously enhancing its global influence, the official said.