CHINA – The Yikatong card allows travelers to use the metro, buses, taxis, shop at supermarkets, convenience stores, fast-food outlets, and vending machines.
Yikatong (一卡通), also known as the Beijing Municipal Administration Traffic Card in English, was introduced by the Beijing municipal government in 2003 with the aim of enhancing convenience for residents and reducing the use of cash. Originally designed primarily to replace traditional subway tickets, Yikatong is now widely used across various modes of transportation and for multiple products and services throughout the city.
Using Yikatong not only offers discounts on certain services and products for travelers but, more importantly, it saves them time and effort by eliminating the need to purchase tickets for each trip within the city, wait at ticket vending machines, or fumble for loose change when paying for services and products. While most Chinese residents opt for payment through mobile apps, foreign travelers may find it challenging to use these apps, making Yikatong an effective alternative.
In addition to the plastic Yikatong card, most Chinese residents use the Yikatong app on their smartphones. However, many foreign tourists are not familiar with this app and prefer to use the physical card.
How to Purchase and Use Yikatong
You can purchase a Yikatong card at airports, subway stations, bus terminals, and numerous card vending points throughout Beijing. Simply present your passport and payment to the card seller. You’ll need to pay a 20 Chinese yuan (approximately 2,74 USD) deposit, which will be refunded when you return the card upon leaving Beijing. Because this is a small amount, many tourists choose to keep the card as a souvenir.
In theory, users can top up their card with additional funds, but foreign travelers may encounter difficulties as the system typically only accepts identification from Chinese citizens. Therefore, it’s advisable to estimate the amount you’ll spend and load the card accordingly. If you plan to stay in Beijing for 2-3 days, you can load 100 Chinese yuan (approximately 13,68 USD), with 20 yuan as the deposit and 80 yuan for using the metro, buses, and taxis. All Yikatong-accepting points have card readers. The machine will deduct the appropriate amount for the services you use while displaying the remaining balance on the card. Therefore, for non-Chinese-speaking tourists, using the card makes traveling and shopping more convenient as it eliminates the need to communicate with drivers or vendors.
In case your card runs out of funds but you still have time left in Beijing, you can purchase single journey tickets for metro travel or pay cash for bus rides.
Using Yikatong for Sightseeing Destinations
The Great Wall of China (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
From anywhere in the city, you can use Yikatong to take the subway (3-4 Chinese yuan per journey) to Jishuitan station. From there, you’ll find a major bus terminal. Look for the dedicated bus stop for line 877, which takes passengers from central Beijing to Badaling, the Great Wall. Swipe your Yikatong to pay the 12 Chinese yuan fare, and the journey takes about 70 minutes.
Summer Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
This famous scenic spot has an 800-year history and was initially built by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty as an extravagant summer palace. Use Yikatong to take subway line 4 to Beigongmen station or bus lines 74, 374, or 437 to Yiheyuan Xinjiangongmen station. The subway or bus fare is about 4-5 Chinese yuan.
Ming Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
This vast burial complex was constructed by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty and features unique architecture. Use Yikatong to take bus line 314 to Dingling, Zhaoling, or Sacred Way.
Temple of Heaven (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and continuously expanded throughout both the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is the most significant architectural masterpiece of its time. It is located in the heart of Beijing and easily accessible by various means of transportation. You can take metro line 5 to Tiantandongmen station (Exit A2) or bus lines 36, 958, 122, 2, 20, 120, 6, 34, 35, 106, 110, 128, 525, or 623 to reach the site.
Forbidden City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
This extraordinary architectural wonder of China is located in the heart of Beijing. To visit the Forbidden City, use your Yikatong card to take subway line 1 to Tian’anmendong station or bus lines 1, 120, 2, 52, 59, 82, or 99 to reach Tian’anmendong. The Forbidden City has multiple gates, and you can purchase tickets and enter from the Meridian Gate (Ngọ Môn).
National Stadium (Beijing BirdNest Stadium)
This modern iconic structure in Beijing’s Olympic Park, alongside several other grand sports facilities, can be reached by taking subway lines 8 or 15 to Olympic Green station and exiting at Exit D, or by taking bus lines 82, 419, 538, or 645 to the National Stadium East stop.
National Art Museum
This museum showcases numerous masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and calligraphy. Travelers can use their Yikatong card to take subway line 5 to Dongsi station or bus lines 101, 103, 109, 111, 128, or 58 to reach the Art Museum Stop.
With the Yikatong card, you can also travel to airports, long-distance bus terminals, and high-speed train stations within the city to connect to other destinations. The card has a validity period of three years from the last time it was used.
