[Photo via The Beijing News]

To make payment more convenient for international visitors, Beijing has introduced two new products that integrate communication and payment services. On January 8, the newly developed "Changyoutong" (畅游通) device and "Mifangka" (幂方卡) card debuted at the "Beijing Service" airport service counter in Terminal 3, Beijing Capital International Airport.

[Photo via Xinhua News Agency]

With a built-in display, camera and card slot, the "Changyoutong" device is only the size of a power bank but compatible with SIM card and bank card services, featuring multiple functions such as Wi-Fi access, QR code payment and voice interpretation. These cutting-edge portable terminals were co-developed by China UnionPay, the Bank of Beijing and China Unicom Beijing.

Located less than 100 meters from the International Arrivals Exit of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport, the payment service counter offers one-stop rental and return services for the “Changyoutong” device. A foreign visitor can, after presenting his/her passport, select a short-term communication package, rent a "Changyoutong" device, open a Changyoutong account at the Bank of Beijing, and top up the card—all in just five minutes.

Payments with such a device can be made by both scanning the UnionPay QR code and having the UnionPay QR code on the device scanned. Every foreigner can pay with such a single scan when dining at a restaurant, shopping at a mall, or purchasing unique souvenirs from a street vendor, enjoying convenient and effective payment services.

NFC contactless payment is one of the mainstream payment methods commonly used by foreigners. To accommodate this preference, the Bank of China, China Unicom, and Beijing Municipal Administration & Communication Card Co., Ltd., jointly launched the SIM card-based “Mifangka” card. After obtaining such a card and inserting it into your smartphone, you can make calls, get Internet access, pay with e-CNY, and use Beijing's urban public transit system. Even without internet or battery power, you can still pay via NFC if your smartphone has such a card in it.

Each "Changyoutong" account currently has a cumulative top-up quota of RMB10,000 and a maximum single payment amount of RMB1,000. The top-up amount for a single wallet of "Mifangka" shall not exceed RMB5,000, and the single payment limit is RMB500. Now these accounts can only be used for consumption, meaning that the money therein cannot be transferred or withdrawn.

(Source: Beijing Daily)