China's growing openness and the increasing number of international events in Shanghai have drawn many foreign visitors to popular attractions such as Zhujiajiao Ancient Town and Panlong Tiandi, offering them a chance to experience the city’s vibrancy firsthand.

To further enhance their cultural and tourism experience, Qingpu district has been working to build a smooth and secure payment environment, making dining, shopping, and entertainment more convenient. A key highlight is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's innovative launch of the ICBC Pass.

Designed specifically for foreign nationals, the ICBC Pass is a UnionPay-standard prepaid card offering multiple advantages, including quick application, convenient payment, privacy protection, and instant usability after top-up.

The card addresses common payment challenges faced by international visitors, providing a reliable, and easy-to-use payment option.

According to Guo Yuankai, deputy president of ICBC's Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Integrated Demonstration Zone Branch, international visitors can simply visit designated ICBC outlets, present a valid ID, and complete a simple registration to receive a physical card within minutes.

Once issued, users can scan the QR code on the back of the card with their mobile phones to access a dedicated page. There, they can set a password, link their overseas bank cards and top up the account independently.

The ICBC Pass supports top-ups through overseas bank cards authenticated with the 3DS2.0 protocol. Once funded, the card can be used across China's UnionPay network.

The product also supports multiple payment methods, including offline transactions by inserting or tapping the physical card and online payments via QR code scanning. For merchants without a POS machine, payments can also be completed by scanning a UnionPay-labeled QR code.

As the new academic year begins, Shanghai has welcomed a wave of international students, many of whom face challenges opening bank accounts and adapting to China’s mobile payment ecosystem. Guo noted that ICBC recently provided the ICBC Pass to international students at a local university, offering a one-stop financial solution to cross-border payment needs.

"With more foreign tourists coming to Qingpu and the 2025 World Rowing Championships approaching, ICBC will continue to innovate and provide premium financial services to enhance Qingpu's international appeal and promote cultural exchange," Guo added.

Source: Qingpu district government