(I) Train
■Ticket purchase
1. Identification documents. Foreign travelers can use the following valid identification documents when purchasing tickets or paying for the extended trip at the railway station's ticket office and ticket agents, or on trains: Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card; Passport; Foreigner's exit-entry permit; Seafarer's Certificate; Receipt of acceptance of a visa application issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China; Passport loss report certificate; Temporary international travel document issued by embassies and consulates in China (with valid visas or stay certificates issued by the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organs of China attached). Foreign travelers can use Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and passports to purchase tickets through China Railway's 12306 English website, 12306 app, or booking hotline. Foreign travelers can also use Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards to purchase tickets on self-service machines.
2. Identity verification. To ensure safe and orderly passenger transport, China's railway operator implements real-name ticketing according to relevant regulations. Foreign travelers must complete identity verification before purchasing tickets. You can log in to China Railway's 12306 English website or app to fill in your name, nationality, ID number, and other information following the instructions. The system will automatically complete identity verification. Or, you can upload a photo of the passport information page for manual verification. You can also take valid passports to the ticket office at the railway station for identity verification.
3. Ticket purchase. After the identity verification, foreign travelers can purchase tickets. You can purchase tickets online through China Railway's 12306 English website or app and pay by Chinese or foreign bank cards as well as mobile payment apps. You can also purchase tickets at the ticket office at the railway station and pay by Chinese or foreign bank cards, in RMB cash, or by mobile payment apps. Some railway stations also have self-service machines for ticket purchase.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.
■Ticket change
Foreign travelers can change tickets on China Railway's 12306 English website and app, or at the ticket office of the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of ticket change or the new date of travel.
■Ticket refund
Foreign travelers can request a ticket refund on China Railway's 12306 English website and app, or at the ticket office of the railway station. Service fees may be incurred depending on the time of cancellation.
■Railway station entry/exit and train boarding
Foreign travelers can enter and exit the railway station through automatic or manual ticket check gates with the original valid identification documents used when buying tickets, and cooperate to complete ticket verification on the way.
For details of relevant rules, please visit China Railway's 12306 English website or app, or call China Railway's customer service hotline (12306) for consultation.
China Railway's 12306 English website:
https://www.12306.cn/en/index.html
(II) Airplane
To take domestic flights in China, foreign travelers may book air tickets online on an airline's official website, app and WeChat mini program, or a ticketing platform.
■Ticket purchase
1. When buying tickets on an airline's official website, app and WeChat mini program, or a ticketing platform, you can make payments via Alipay, Wexin Pay or UnionPay bank cards. Chinese and foreign bank cards are accepted at the online and offline ticketing channels of ticketing platforms and airlines operating international flights.
2. You can also buy tickets at an airport and pay in RMB cash or via Wexin Pay, Alipay, or bank cards following the policies of the airline.
■Ticket change and refund
Foreign travelers can change or refund tickets through the ticketing platform or at the airport. Fees may be incurred, which is subject to the policies of the airline.
(III) Metro
A total of 55 cities in China have metro lines. Foreign travelers can apply for metro passes at the metro station or use Alipay to take the metro.
1. Foreign travelers can buy single-journey tickets at the ticket office or self-service ticketing machine of the metro station. Frequent travelers can buy metro passes at the ticket office of the metro station with your passports. You can make payments for tickets or passes by Chinese or foreign bank cards, in RMB cash, or by mobile payment apps.
2. Some mobile payment apps and metro operators' apps also support passing the turnstiles by scanning QR codes. The following are the specific operation steps using Alipay as an example. Foreign travelers need to open Alipay, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for metro. You can enter and exit the metro station by having the QR code scanned.
3. Beijing has become the first city on the Chinese mainland to allow metro fare payments by swiping foreign bank cards. Without buying tickets or downloading relevant apps, foreign travelers can take 27 urban rail lines and the suburban line S2 in Beijing by swiping Mastercard or Visa cards issued overseas at fare gates.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.
(IV) Bus
Foreign travelers can pay with RMB cash, bus cards, or Alipay to take the bus.
1. Foreign travelers can pay in RMB cash to take buses. You are advised to prepare small change in advance.
2. Foreign travelers can take your passports to the service outlets of bus companies to buy bus cards. Payment for the cards can be made in RMB cash or via Wexin Pay or Alipay.
3. Some mobile payment apps and bus operators' apps also support passing the turnstiles by scanning QR codes. The following are the specific operation steps using Alipay as an example. Foreign travelers need to open Alipay, click on "Transport", and select "City". After completing identity verification, you will obtain a QR code for buses. You need to have the QR code scanned when getting on and off a bus.
For more specific information on applicable payment methods, please refer to the signage or cashier for guidance.
(V) Online ride-hailing services
Foreign travelers can use Alipay, WeChat or Didi-Greater China apps to book online ride-hailing services. You can also use Trip.com to make an appointment for airport shuttle service.
1. Foreign travelers can open Alipay, click on "Transport", select "Taxi", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
2. Foreign travelers can open WeChat, click on "Me", select "Services", scroll down and click on "Mobility" or "Ride Hailing", and enter both the pickup location and the destination to book a ride-hailing service.
3. Download Didi-Greater China APP, which supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register, and book online ride-hailing services once registered. Open Didi-Greater China APP, confirm the pickup location and the destination, select the preferred services (Express, Taxi, Premier, Luxe), and book a ride-hailing service.
4. Open Trip.com, select "Airport Shuttle Service", enter the flight information to make an appointment, and pay directly with an international bank card.
(VI) Car leasing services
Foreign travelers can rent cars at international airports and downtown service outlets. You can also use car leasing apps or search for "mini programs for car leasing" on Alipay or WeChat. Once registered, you can make a reservation for car leasing.
1. Foreign travelers who are going to rent cars need to bring your passports or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards, valid Chinese driver's licenses, and international or domestic credit cards.
Note: Foreigners renting a car for the first time need to have your identity document information verified at least one working day in advance.
2. Foreign travelers applying for Chinese Provisional Driving Permits for compact cars must take your passports, overseas driver's licenses with a Chinese translation, recent one-inch half-
length, bareheaded, full-faced color photos against a white background, and other necessary documents to public security traffic management service halls. Foreigners who enter China for a short-term stay can apply for Provisional Driving Permits with a validity period of 3 months. For those who intend to stay longer than 3 months, the validity period can be extended to a maximum of one year. The permits can be used whenever the holders reenter China during the validity period without the need for reapplication.
Note: China has signed agreements for mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses with France, Serbia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates. This allows individuals holding driver's licenses from the aforementioned countries to drive directly in China or obtain Chinses driver's licenses without taking a test.