For travelers who prefer card payments over mobile payments, Shanghai has launched a prepaid travel card called the Shanghai Pass, which allows easy payment for transport, attractions and shopping with a maximum balance of $140, and can be refunded upon departure.
Shanghai has launched a multi-purpose prepaid travel card, the Shanghai Pass, to make payments easier for international tourists and other visitors who don't prefer mobile payments.
According to Shanghai Urban Tourism Card Development Co., which issues the card, the card can hold a maximum balance of 1,000 yuan (about US$140) and can be used in a variety of situations, including on public transportation, at cultural and tourist attractions and at shopping malls.
The card can be purchased and loaded at major subway stations, including Hongqiao Airport, Pudong Airport and People's Square Station, and can also be used on buses, subways, taxis, ferries and at tourist attractions such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Wild Animal Park, according to the company.
Cardholders can refund the remaining balance when they leave the city.
The company said the card can also be used on public transport in other cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Qingdao, Chengdu, Sanya and Xiamen.
Chinese authorities have taken various measures to improve tourism convenience for inbound tourists as foreigners, who primarily rely on bank cards and cash, may experience obstacles and challenges with cashless or non-card mobile payments, which are currently the mainstream payment method in China.
According to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai received 1.27 million tourists in the first quarter of this year, up 250 percent from a year earlier, and is expected to receive about 5 million tourists throughout the year.
As an intern, George closely monitors news trends, helps with content publishing, and delves into social media distribution strategies. He is currently studying Business Administration at the Athens University of Economics.
