Beijing is a vibrant city! Stay updated with our weekend summary of the latest happenings.
Beijing Subway Expands Card Payment Options
As of June 15, the Beijing subway has begun accepting international JCB cards as well as contactless payments through both domestic and international American Express cards, becoming the first urban rail transit system in the world to accommodate all five major global card payment networks.
Passengers can now use China UnionPay, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, and American Express to pay for their subway rides. They can also utilize these cards to either purchase single-trip tickets or recharge their subway cards at self-service machines.
This upgrade includes 29 operational lines (which consist of the two airport lines, the Western Suburbs Line, and the Yizhuang T1 Line), covering 523 stations, along with the suburban railway S2 Line, and provides access across the entire network, at any time, and at all gates. There is no need for passengers to buy tickets beforehand or download additional apps.
These enhancements, along with more planned improvements, aim to further increase the convenience of Beijing's urban rail payment services, improve international tourism services, and boost Beijing’s status as a global consumer hub.
Ming Tombs Opening Updates
The 2025 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum took place on June 14 at the Global Ming Culture Exchange Center in Changping District. This year’s event provided a progress report on the initiative, first announced at last year’s forum, to open the entire “Thirteen Ming Dynasty Tombs” complex (明十三陵 Míng shísān líng) to the public by 2030.
Everything seems to be progressing well, with the main mausoleum expected to be fully accessible by 2030, complemented by a comprehensive museum and tourism complex. Restoration efforts on the existing site are currently in progress.
Presently, the Chang, Ding, and Zhao tombs, along with the "Spirit Way," are open to visitors. The Kang, Yong, and Si tombs require appointments to visit, while the Jing tomb will open later this year. The New Imperial Residence and the Mao, Tai, and Deng tombs are set to open sequentially between 2026 and 2028, and the Xian, Yu, and Qing tombs are anticipated to be open from 2029 to 2030.
The Ming Dynasty Culture Forum is an annual event designed to enhance public understanding and appreciation of Ming dynasty culture through themed discussions, engaging activities, and exhibitions showcasing hundreds of cultural artifacts from the Ming dynasty, encompassing a variety of items such as clothing, weapons, paintings, and books.
READ: Events and Happenings in the 'Jing This Weekend (Jun 20-22)
Images: Unsplash, Beijing Fabu, Wikimedia Commons: Charlie fong (used without alteration under CC BY-SA 4.0)
Beijing is a vibrant city! Stay updated with our weekend summary of the most recent news.