Subway and bus with QR code ride: The first ride after arriving

Three Ways to Ride

• Alipay/WeChat Ride Code: The most common. In Alipay, get the ride code of your target city in the "Travel" page; in WeChat, go to "Cards - Transportation Card." After activation, scan the QR code at the gate; the fare is deducted from your balance or linked card. Supported in over 300 cities nationwide.
• City Metro App: Examples include Beijing's "Yi Tongxing," Shanghai's "Metro Metropolitan," and Guangzhou's "Guangzhou Metro." The apps offer the most features (including crowd density queries and transfer navigation), but each city has its own app.
• Physical Transportation Card: Can be purchased at airports and metro stations, with a deposit of 20–30 yuan, refundable upon returning the card. Suitable for those not using linked payment or for elderly and children.

For most travelers, one Alipay ride code is enough: it has wide coverage, no need to download individual city apps, and supports balance deduction from linked foreign credit cards.

Complete Process for the First Ride

1. After arriving at the airport, connect to the airport WiFi or enable data (see "Mobile Payment and Internet" section).
2. Open Alipay → Homepage "Travel" → Locate automatically or select city manually → Obtain the ride code.
3. Enter the station and pass security check (all Chinese metro stations have security checks; water bottles must be scanned or tasted).
4. Scan Code at the Gate: Align the QR code with the scanner; after hearing a "beep," the gate will open.
5. Scan again when exiting; the system charges based on distance traveled.

Points That Are Easy to Get Stuck On

• Scan both when entering and exiting: Failing to scan when exiting will lock the card, preventing future use, and you must pay the maximum fare.
• One phone only for one person: Companions must each get their own code or buy a single journey ticket.
• Security check queues: During peak hours (7:30–9:30, 17:30–19:30), security checks at major stations can take over 10 minutes; allow extra time for catching high-speed trains.
• Transfer walking time: At large transfer stations like Beijing Xizhimen, Shanghai People's Square, and Guangzhou Tiyu Xilu, walking between lines can take 8–12 minutes; add this to the total travel time given by the navigation.

Bus and Taxi

Public buses also support mobile payment codes, with fares ranging from 1 to 3 yuan, but the route information is not friendly to outsiders. Unless there are clear instructions, it is recommended to use a combination of subway and ride-hailing services. Taxis can be easily flagged down in the city center, with starting fares of 10–14 yuan (varies by city), but they are extremely hard to get during peak hours and rainy days. For daily use, ride-hailing services within Gaode or Baidu Maps are more reliable and can be linked to foreign credit cards.

Accessibility

New subway lines in China are generally equipped with elevators and accessible restrooms, but entrances are often on a specific side (wheelchair signs are displayed inside the station). When traveling with elderly people using wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties, check the elevator locations of each station in advance using the "Accessibility Mode" on Gaode Maps.