The Yikatong card allows tourists to travel on the metro, buses, taxis, and make purchases at supermarkets, convenience stores, fast food outlets, and vending machines.
Yikatong, also known as the Beijing Municipal Administration Traffic Card, was introduced by the Beijing city government in 2003 to increase convenience for residents and reduce cash usage. Initially replacing traditional subway tickets, Yikatong is now widely used across all public transportation modes and for various products and services in the city.
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Using Yikatong, tourists receive discounts on certain services and products. More importantly, it saves time and effort as there’s no need to buy individual tickets for each journey, wait at ticket machines, or fumble with small change when making payments. While most Chinese citizens pay via apps, foreign tourists find these apps difficult to use, making Yikatong a practical alternative.
Apart from the physical Yikatong card, most Chinese residents use the Yikatong app installed on their phones. Foreign tourists, unfamiliar with the app, predominantly use the physical card.
How to Buy and Use a Yikatong Card
You can purchase a Yikatong card at airports, subway stations, bus terminals, and numerous sales points and vending machines in Beijing. Simply present your passport and money to the vendor. A deposit of 20 RMB (about 65,000 VND) is required, refundable upon returning the card when leaving Beijing. Many tourists choose to keep the card as a souvenir since the amount is small.
Technically, you can reload the card, but foreigners cannot do so as the system only recognizes Chinese citizen IDs. Hence, estimate the amount you’ll spend and load the card accordingly. For a 2-3 day stay in Beijing, loading 100 RMB (about 330,000 VND), including the 20 RMB deposit, is recommended. All card-accepting points have card readers. The machine deducts the corresponding amount for the used service and displays the remaining balance. This convenience allows non-Chinese-speaking tourists to travel and shop without needing to interact with drivers or vendors.
If you exhaust the card’s balance and still have time in Beijing, you can purchase single journey tickets for the metro or pay cash for each bus ride.
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Using Yikatong to Visit Tourist Attractions
The Great Wall (UNESCO Heritage)
From anywhere in the city, use Yikatong to take the subway (3-4 RMB per trip) to Jishuitan Station. Here, find the large bus terminal and the dedicated parking lot for Bus 877, which takes passengers from central Beijing to Badaling – the Great Wall. Swipe the Yikatong card upon boarding; the fare is 12 RMB, and the trip takes about 70 minutes.
Summer Palace (UNESCO Heritage)
This famous scenic spot, with an 800-year history, was renovated and expanded into a lavish summer palace by Emperor Qianlong and later by Empress Dowager Cixi during the Qing Dynasty. Use Yikatong to take subway line 4 to Beigongmen Station or bus numbers 74, 374, 437 to Yiheyuan Xinjiangongmen Stop. The fare is about 4-5 RMB.
Ming Tombs (UNESCO Heritage)
This extensive and architecturally unique tomb complex was built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Use Yikatong to take bus number 314 to Dingling, Zhaoling, or Sacred Way stops.
Temple of Heaven (UNESCO Heritage)
Constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and expanded throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasties, this is a significant architectural achievement. Located in central Beijing, it’s easily accessible by various means: subway line 5 to Tiantandongmen Station Exit A2 or bus numbers 36, 958, 122, 2, 20, 120, 6, 34, 35, 106, 110, 128, 525, 623, 684.
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Forbidden City (UNESCO Heritage)
One of China’s most spectacular architectural works, the Forbidden City, is in central Beijing. Use Yikatong to take subway line 1 to Tian’anmendong Station or bus numbers 1, 120, 2, 52, 59, 82, 99 to Tian’anmendong Stop. Enter through the Meridian Gate with a purchased ticket.
National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
This modern symbol of Beijing, located in the Olympic Park, is surrounded by many other grand sports venues. Take subway line 8 or 15 to Olympic Green Station, exit D, or bus numbers 82, 419, 538, 645 to National Stadium East.
National Art Museum
Home to numerous masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and calligraphy, tourists can use Yikatong to take subway line 5 to Dongsi Station or bus numbers 101, 103, 109, 111, 128, 58 to Art Museum Stop.
With a Yikatong card, you can also reach all airports, long-distance bus terminals, and high-speed railway stations within the city, facilitating travel to other regions. The card is valid for three years from the last usage.