The Shanghai Pass is a newly introduced tourism card designed to simplify travel and spending for international visitors in one of China’s most dynamic cities. Launched on May 19, 2024, during China Tourism Day, the card represents Shanghai’s commitment to improving the experience of inbound travelers by addressing common challenges such as mobile payment barriers, ticket reservations, and multi-scene consumption.To get more news about shanghai pass, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.
Origins and Purpose
Shanghai has long been a gateway for international tourism in China. With the steady recovery of inbound travel, city officials recognized the need for a more integrated solution to help visitors navigate transportation, cultural attractions, and shopping. The Shanghai Pass was created by Shanghai Urban Tourism Card Development Co., a subsidiary of the state-owned Jiushi Group, with strong support from the city’s cultural and tourism bureau. Its purpose is clear: to serve as a “city card” that makes travel more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable.
Features of the Shanghai Pass
The card operates on a prepaid model, allowing users to load funds up to 1,000 RMB. It is primarily non‑real name, meaning tourists can purchase and use it without registering personal details, which helps protect privacy. The card can be used across multiple scenarios:
Transportation: It covers buses, metro, taxis, and ferries within Shanghai. Earlier versions even supported public transport in more than 330 cities nationwide, though this feature was closed for new cards in 2025.
Tourism: Visitors can use the card to enter major attractions such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, and river cruises along the Huangpu River.
Shopping: The card is accepted at thousands of commercial outlets, including convenience stores like Haode and Kedi, as well as malls such as New World City.
Additionally, the card offers multilingual support, including AI-guided services in nine languages, making it accessible to a diverse range of international tourists.
Benefits for Visitors
The Shanghai Pass provides several advantages. First, it eliminates the need for cash or complex mobile payment setups, which can be difficult for foreign visitors unfamiliar with Chinese payment platforms. Second, it streamlines entry into attractions by allowing direct card swipes, bypassing ticket queues. Third, it enhances convenience for small purchases, reducing the hassle of handling change. Finally, the card’s QR code offers guides, recommendations, and promotional information, enriching the overall travel experience.
Expansion and Popularity
Since its launch, the Shanghai Pass has quickly gained traction. By March 2025, more than 86,000 cards had been sold, with over 260,000 transactions recorded. The card has expanded to include over 50 scenic spots and 2,000 commercial outlets, with service stations at major hubs such as Hongqiao and Pudong airports百度百科. Seasonal versions, such as two‑day and three‑day sightseeing passes, have also been introduced to cater to short‑term visitors.
Challenges and Adjustments
While the Shanghai Pass has been widely praised, adjustments have been necessary. For example, the nationwide transport interoperability feature was discontinued for new cards in 2025, limiting usage to Shanghai itself. This change reflects the city’s focus on refining the product for local tourism rather than maintaining broader national coverage. Nevertheless, the card continues to evolve, with plans for new products such as a one‑day pass that includes river cruises and double‑decker bus tours百度百科.
Looking Ahead
The Shanghai Pass is more than just a payment card; it is a symbol of Shanghai’s ambition to become the premier destination for inbound tourism in China. By integrating transport, culture, and commerce, the card embodies the city’s vision of openness and convenience. As tourism continues to grow, the Shanghai Pass is likely to expand its partnerships, improve digital services, and further enhance the visitor experience.
Conclusion
In essence, the Shanghai Pass represents a thoughtful response to the needs of international travelers. It simplifies logistics, enriches cultural exploration, and makes everyday spending easier. For visitors eager to experience Shanghai’s vibrant mix of tradition and modernity, the Shanghai Pass is not just a card—it is a gateway to the city itself.