practical · 5 May 2026

Transit Cards Explained by City: Which Card Works Where in China

China's public transport cards are city-specific, but some work across multiple cities. This guide explains which card to get, where to buy it, and which cities accept contactless foreign payment alternatives.

China does not have a single national transit card. Each major city issues its own card. Beijing's Yikatong covers metro, buses, and urban rail — or use Alipay's transit QR code instead. Shanghai's Transportation Card works across 200+ cities including Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing, and WeChat/Alipay transit codes also work. Guangzhou's Lingnan Pass covers the Pearl River Delta cities including Shenzhen and Foshan. Chengdu's Tianfu Pass covers metro and buses, with WeChat Pay transit codes accepted since 2021.

For short-stay visitors, the easiest option is Alipay or WeChat Pay transit QR codes — these work in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and most other major cities without needing a physical card. Add a foreign card to Alipay or use the international top-up feature, open the transit section, enable your city, and scan at the gate.

If you buy a physical card and leave with credit, you can refund it at metro service windows with your passport.