A Historic Corridor Goes Cashless
In March 2025, Beijing unveiled a game-changer for international travelers: the Beijing Central Axis Barrier-Free Payment Service Tourism Demonstration Zone. Stretching 7.8 kilometers and encompassing 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites—from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven—this historic corridor is now a testing ground for seamless, globally inclusive payment solutions. A collaboration between China UnionPay, Visa, and Beijing's tourism authorities, the project aims to transform Beijing into "China's top destination for inbound tourism" by erasing payment headaches for foreign visitors.
The timing couldn't be better. In 2024, Beijing welcomed 3.94 million international tourists, a 186.8% surge from the previous year, fueled by expanded visa-free policies and infrastructure upgrades. Yet, payment barriers persisted: only 30% of small merchants accepted foreign cards in 2023. Now, the Central Axis initiative tackles this with a "big swipes, small scans, cash backup" strategy, ensuring tourists can pay as they do at home—whether swiping a Visa card at a 600-year-old tea house or scanning a QR code for augmented-reality historical tours.
Two Game-Changing Devices Launching in March
Beijing's payment revolution just got smarter with two groundbreaking innovations rolling out in March 2025:
- The "Travel Pass" Pocket Companion
This pocket-sized device—lighter than a power bank—combines a SIM card slot, Wi-Fi hotspot, QR scanner, and translation camera. Developed by China UnionPay, Beijing Bank, and Beijing Unicom, it lets travelers:
Rent the device at Beijing's airports or embassy-area stores (deposit: ¥400).
Enjoy 5G connectivity and instant payment capabilities (single transaction limit: ¥1,000; total recharge cap: ¥10,000).
Use the pre-installed Travel Pass App to apply for cards, recharge, or refund—all in under 5 minutes.
"Foreign visitors want two things: reliable connectivity and hassle-free payments," says Li Jianying, Beijing Bank's Retail Director. "This device delivers both."
- The "CUBe Card (幂方卡)": Triple Power in One SIM
A world-first collaboration between Bank of China, Beijing Unicom, and Beijing Yikatong, this SIM card merges:
Payment: Tap-to-pay with digital yuan at shops, buses, and subway gates.
Communication: 5G data and voice calls.
Access: Entry to parks and museums via NFC.
No apps needed—just insert the SIM. For phones without slots, rental devices are available. The upgraded card now allows single top-ups up to ¥5,000 (total cap: ¥10,000).
Three Ways This Upgrade Transforms Your Trip
- No More Wallet Woes: Universal Payment Acceptance
Over 90% of merchants along the Central Axis—including cultural hubs like Qianmen Dashilan and Beijing Fun—now accept foreign-issued UnionPay and Visa cards, Apple Pay, and Alipay's "overseas card binding" feature. Visa's "card-code fusion" terminals let you tap, swipe, or scan interchangeably, while UnionPay's blockchain system monitors transactions in real time for security. Need cash? ATMs supporting foreign withdrawals are strategically placed, with staff trained to guide you.
- Beyond Payments: The 'Travel Pass' Travel Ecosystem
Imagine renting a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, accessing real-time multilingual guides, and paying for souvenirs—all through a single QR code. That's Travel Pass (畅游通), a digital toolkit launched by UnionPay and Beijing Bank. It even offers discounts at participating stores and integrates with Beijing's subway system, where Visa cardholders can "tap-and-go" at turnstiles—a service used by 10,000+ travelers from 100 countries in its first month.
- Inclusive Design: Tech for All
The zone prioritizes accessibility. Over 70% of payment terminals are wheelchair-friendly, and ATMs feature elderly-friendly interfaces. Visa's CUBe Card, a digital yuan-enabled tool, supports offline transactions and voice-guided payments for visually impaired travelers. As UnionPay's chairman noted, "Payment isn't just about convenience—it's about dignity for every visitor".
Why This Matters for Global Travelers
Beijing's Central Axis isn't just a UNESCO site—it's a blueprint for the future of tourism. Here's how this initiative impacts you:
Cultural Immersion Made Easy: Buy a hand-painted fan at the 400-year-old Liulichang cultural street using your home country's card, then scan a QR code to unlock AR storytelling about its Ming Dynasty origins.
Time Savings: No more currency exchange queues. Visa's data shows travelers save ~45 minutes daily using integrated payment solutions.
Safety Net: Lost your card? UnionPay's "Splendid China Card" (issued in 37 countries) allows instant freezing via their app.
The project also fuels broader trends. TikTok videos tagged #BeijingCentralAxis surged 200% post-launch, while UnionPay's overseas wallet partnerships now span 83 countries. Even Olympic gymnasts joined the wave, incorporating Wushu moves into their 2024 Paris routines—a nod to how tradition and tech coexist here.
Planning Your Visit:
Grab the New Gear: Starting late March, rent the Travel Pass device (free until June 30) or grab a CUBe SIM card with complimentary phone rentals at airports.
Download in Advance: Install UnionPay's app or Visa's TravelMate for real-time exchange rates and nearby ATM maps.
Carry Backup Cash: While 90% of spots accept cards, street vendors in hutong alleys might still prefer cash.
As Visa's global president Oliver Jenkyn remarked, "This isn't just about payments—it's about crafting frictionless cultural journeys". For travelers, that means less time fumbling with wallets and more moments marveling at the harmony of Beijing's ancient heart and digital future.
