Foreign currency exchange services are now available in Beijing’s subway stations! According to Beijing Daily, the city’s first subway currency exchange outlet has opened at Wangfujing Station on Line 8. Both local residents and international visitors can exchange foreign currencies for Chinese yuan, or vice versa, at any time with up to 40 currencies supported.
This morning, the reporter saw a clearly marked “United Money: Currency Exchange” window next to the ticket counter at Exit E of Wangfujing Station. A digital screen there displayed real-time exchange rates for various currencies. According to staff, the outlet supports exchanges for up to 40 currencies, including major ones such as the US dollar, euro, and Japanese yen, as well as currencies that are less commonly available at domestic commercial banks, such as the Vietnamese dong, Egyptian pound, and Malaysian ringgit. Chinese citizens can exchange currencies using their second-generation ID cards, while foreign nationals may use passports or other valid identification.
Strategically located at the intersection of Beijing’s “Underground Central Axis” and Chang’an Avenue, Wangfujing Station sees over 100,000 passengers daily, serving a diverse mix of tourists, shoppers, and business travelers. In response, Beijing Subway has upgraded the station’s passenger service center into a one-stop service hub that integrates ticket services, information services, and currency exchange, significantly optimizing the station’s overall service delivery.
The new currency exchange services also include innovative features tailored to international visitors’ frequent payment needs and local residents’ overseas travel requirements. For example, pioneering features like online reservations and customized small-denomination currency services are designed to address common challenges at traditional exchange outlets such as long queues, limited currency options, and a lack of small bills. The initiative allows domestic and international visitors access convenient, efficient, and user-friendly services in Beijing without the need of leaving subway stations.
