On September 29, 2025, the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism integrated key resources spanning aviation, transportation, attractions and dining, working together with China Eastern Airlines Jiangsu Branch, Nanjing Metro Group, Nanjing Tourism Group, nine major tourist attractions and Nanjing Da Pai Dang to officially debut the Nanjing Inbound Tourism PASS Card (Phase I). This innovative initiative serves as a new “city calling card” for global travelers, showcasing Nanjing as a City of Literature and a historic cultural capital of China—and stands as a vivid example of how refined services can drive high-quality development in cultural tourism.
“Instant Access Upon Arrival” – Bridging the Service Gap for International Visitors
To resolve the “first mile” transportation challenges faced by inbound visitors upon arrival, the PASS Card pioneers a seamless “airline + transportation” service model. It is available exclusively through China Eastern’s booking platform, allowing travelers to secure the PASS while purchasing international flights to Nanjing. With just a simple pre-trip selection, all benefits are locked in. The pricing is deliberately inclusive—USD 3 for a 1-Day Pass and USD 7 for a 3-Day Pass, each offering unlimited rides on the Nanjing Metro—making the experience accessible to visitors of all spending levels. Eligibility is equally open: regardless of nationality, region, or document type, all passengers arriving on China Eastern inbound flights may enjoy the same benefits. Upon landing in Nanjing, travelers can pick up their PASS package directly at a dedicated counter in the International Arrival Hall of Nanjing Lukou International Airport. The package includes a preloaded metro card and a “Nanjing Mini Passport,” eliminating the need for extra queues or procedures. This ensures that visitors can move freely from airport to city the moment they arrive, bridging the gap from “touchdown to sightseeing” with zero waiting—reducing the unfamiliarity and inconvenience that often accompany international travel.
All-in-One Benefits: A High-Value Travel Ecosystem
Built around the essential elements of transportation, sightseeing and dining, the PASS Card offers three core benefit categories designed to create a complete and cost-effective travel experience. Transportation: Unlimited metro rides provide seamless citywide mobility; Attractions: Enjoy 50% off admission at nine landmark sites—including the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty (Ming Xiaoling), Presidential Palace, Niushou Mountain, Da Bao’en Temple, Hongshan Forest Zoo, Qinhuai River Cruise, Zhonghua Gate, Deji Art Museum, and the Nanjing Imperial Examination Museum of China[M帐2] —allowing visitors to explore both Nanjing’s storied heritage and modern vibrancy at exceptional value. Dining: An 20% off discount at Nanjing Da Pai Dang (Nanjing Impressions Restaurant) invites international visitors to savor Nanjing cuisine in depth. The Mini Passport’s corner-cut discount verification system ensures orderly and transparent use of benefits, reflecting the city’s commitment to refined, equitable service—every offer is delivered accurately and efficiently to travelers.
Bilingual Guide + Memory Keeper: Enhancing Cultural Engagement
The Nanjing Mini Passport offers practical travel guidance with bilingual (Chinese–English) maps, attraction descriptions and transport tips. Its stamp-collection feature further enriches the visitor experience: travelers can collect stamps at each attraction, deepening their connection to Nanjing’s culture through an engaging, interactive process. Once the trip concludes, the Mini Passport becomes a charming keepsake of their journey. This thoughtful blend of experience + memory transforms cultural communication from “one-way presentation” to “two-way engagement,” allowing Nanjing’s historic charm and urban vitality to be carried onward through each visitor’s personal encounters.
The launch of the PASS Card reflects the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism’s leadership in coordinating cross-industry and cross-sector collaboration. Phase I of the PASS Card will operate from October 2025 through December 31, 2026, during which visitor feedback will be continuously collected to refine the service. Looking ahead, Nanjing plans to partner with more international airlines to extend this service model to a broader range of inbound travelers—ensuring that with one card in hand, exploring Nanjing becomes effortless, and letting global visitors experience the elevated quality of China’s cultural tourism services.
