Foreign currency exchange services are now available in Beijing's subway system! According to Beijing Subway, the city's first subway-based currency exchange outlet has opened at Line 8's Wangfujing Station. Residents and international visitors can now conveniently exchange foreign currencies for Chinese yuan or vice versa, with support for up to 40 currencies.
Located near the ticket counter at Exit E of Wangfujing Station, the "United Currency Exchange" window prominently displays real-time exchange rates for various currencies. Staff explained that the outlet supports both major currencies like the US dollar, euro, and Japanese yen, as well as less common ones such as the Vietnamese dong, Egyptian pound, and Malaysian ringgit—currencies often unavailable at traditional banks. Chinese citizens can exchange currencies using their national ID cards, while foreign nationals may present passports or other valid documents.
As a strategic intersection along Beijing's "Underground Central Axis" and Chang'an Avenue, Line 8's Wangfujing Station sees over 100,000 daily passengers, serving a mix of tourists, shoppers, and business travelers. To enhance services, Beijing Subway has upgraded the station's passenger service center into a one-stop hub integrating ticketing, inquiries, and currency exchange.
The outlet operates from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily (hours subject to on-site notice). Addressing common pain points like long waits and limited currency options, the service also offers innovative features such as online reservations and tailored small-denomination exchanges. These upgrades aim to provide a "convenient, efficient, and welcoming" experience for both local and international passengers.
Prior to this, Beijing Subway launched a currency exchange service at Dongzhimen Station on the Capital Airport Line to assist foreign travelers.
As the peak travel season approaches, Beijing's subway system is also boosting support for international visitors. During the May Day holiday, MTR Corporation (Beijing) collaborated with seven schools, including Peking University, Renmin University of China, and Beijing Foreign Studies University, to deploy student volunteers at key stations like Haidian Huangzhuang, Guojia Tushuguan, and Fengtai Railway Station.
Volunteers received upgraded pre-service training, including specialized English-language modules covering ticket purchasing, transfer guidance, crowd management, and emergency response. Additionally, stations now feature bilingual signage and announcements, with 13 stations equipped with multilingual translation devices. These devices have already been used nearly 2,000 times to assist foreign passengers.
