Seven Provincial Payment Service Demonstration Zones in Shanxi Province Have Been Established and Opened

In order to enhance the payment convenience for foreign visitors to Shanxi, the People's Bank of China Shanxi Provincial Branch issued guidelines earlier this year to promote the construction of payment service demonstration zones featuring “1 Payment Service Center + 6 Basic Services + N Characteristic Services.” Currently, seven demonstration zones have been opened at Taiyuan Wushu International Airport, Taiyuan South Railway Station, Zhonglou Street in Taiyuan, the Ancient County of Taiyuan, Pingyao Ancient City in Jinzhong, Yungang Grottoes in Datong, and Mount Wutai in Xinzhou, providing “one-stop” high-quality payment services.

1. Taiyuan Wushu International Airport Payment Service Demonstration Zone

It is composed of a Payment Service Center for Foreign Guests and merchant acceptance of foreign cards. The Payment Service Center for Foreign Guests is located at the international flight arrival exit. It is equipped with specialized equipment such as ATMs that support foreign card cash withdrawals and foreign currency self-service exchange machines, as well as staff proficient in foreign languages. The center provides clients with diversified, professional, and one-stop payment services including foreign currency exchange, foreign card cash withdrawals, and coin exchange. Meanwhile, key merchants both inside and outside the airport fully accept domestic and foreign bank cards, fully leveraging the role of the“first point of contact”for payment services for foreign guests.

2. Pingyao Ancient City Payment Service Demonstration Zone

Adopting the "dual-center" model, a Payment Service Center is established within the Tourist Service Center. Staff proficient in foreign languages and familiar with payment operations are stationed there. The center is equipped with ATMs supporting foreign card cash withdrawals and coin purses. Bilingual (Chinese and English) payment service maps and manuals are provided to assist foreign tourists in quickly understanding processes such as card swiping, code scanning, and cash withdrawals.

3. Yungang Grottoes Payment Service Demonstration Zone

The payment infrastructure inside and outside the scenic area has been comprehensively upgraded, with additional cash service counters and foreign currency self-service exchange machines installed. POS terminals capable of accepting domestic and foreign bank cards are deployed in key merchants and scenarios. A Payment Service Center has been established within the bank branches within the scenic area, offering professional and one-stop payment services such as foreign currency exchange, foreign card cash withdrawals, coin exchange, payment service consultations, and assistance in downloading and activating mobile payment services.

4. Mount Wutai Payment Service Demonstration Zone

A facilitated payment service system has been established, centered around one designated foreign exchange bank, supported by one payment service center, supplemented by two currency exchange agencies, and primarily composed of four ATMs and 95 merchants capable of accepting foreign cards. This system allows users to easily find nearby foreign exchange service outlets by simply scanning a code.

Source: The People's Government of Shanxi Province