Beijing International Studies University

Beijing's public transportation system is set to become more foreigner-friendly, with the Chinese capital testing the feasibility of introducing an all-in-one city travel pass. For starters, the Beijing Pass will enhance the convenience of subway travel for foreign visitors, who will be able to use their international bank cards to purchase the pass at the city's seven railway stations and two airports that have integrated subway lines. To facilitate the smooth launch of the Beijing Pass, subway stations are currently undergoing on-site testing, the city authorities said on Wednesday. Wu Lihong, a professor at the China Academy of Culture and Tourism of Beijing International Studies University, said the Beijing Pass will allow foreign visitors to explore the city at their convenience, without having to worry about payment hurdles while using public transportation. "If the pass can be integrated with Alipay, a widely used Chinese digital payment platform, it will also save time and make it easier for foreigners to use public transportation," Wu said. Beijing's new foreigner-friendly move comes at a time when the city is witnessing a rapid increase in the number of overseas visitors. The capital has already introduced several facilities to serve them better. For example, all…