Chengdu Metro Launches Overseas Bank Card Payments

On July 28, Chengdu Metro officially launched a contactless payment service that allows passengers to use bank cards for entry and exit across its entire network.

Commuters can now tap UnionPay cards as well as internationally issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards at any metro station or turnstile, with fares automatically deducted according to the standard pricing system. Chengdu becomes the latest mainland city—after Beijing and Shanghai—to support direct bank card access for both domestic and international travelers.

That morning at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, a British passenger tapped his Visa card at the entrance gate of Terminal 1 and 2 metro stations. Following the on-screen instructions, he simply placed the card on the reader and passed through without a hitch.

“In the past three months, we've completed a comprehensive upgrade of over 10,000 devices and more than 30 systems across the entire network to ensure the smooth rollout of this payment method,” said a spokesperson from Chengdu Metro. In addition to using contactless cards, passengers can still purchase single-ride or day passes from ticket vending machines.

Chengdu Metro currently operates 16 lines, covering 672 kilometers and connecting key commercial districts and tourist attractions throughout the city. To enhance the travel experience for international visitors, the metro system is equipped with bilingual Chinese-English signage and announcements. All 423 stations have multilingual translation devices, and select major stations also offer bilingual volunteer services.

According to official data, over 3 million entries and exits were recorded at Chengdu’s air ports in the first half of 2025—an 11.2% year-on-year increase. Of these, foreign nationals accounted for over 790,000 visits, up 58.5% compared to the same period last year. As part of ongoing efforts to promote seamless payments, Chengdu now supports 21 overseas e-wallets for direct transactions, with approximately 65,000 merchants across the city accepting foreign bank cards. The number of tax-refund eligible shops has also reached 427.

Source: OT-Team(G), 新华网