Shanghai launches one-stop services to enhance int'l tourist experiences

Shanghai, one of China's most popular tourist destination among foreign visitors, has launched a series of one-stop service platforms, including service centers at airports and mobile phone applications, to provide better experiences for international tourists.

During the just-concluded May Day holiday, Shanghai was one of the most popular inbound travel destinations in China. At Pudong International Airport, the first stop for many international travelers arriving in Shanghai, the first thing that greets visitors as they exit the arrivals gate is a one-stop service center for foreign nationals.

The center brings together the most urgently needed services for foreign travelers, such as activating mobile payment, obtaining transportation cards and purchasing SIM cards, with staff providing attentive service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"I am from Algeria, and I am here as a tourist visiting Shanghai. I am trying to connect to Alipay, and they work very good. I bought a SIM card from their friend, and that was a great service value," said Adel, a tourist.

Shanghai has launched an application called SH MaaS for its Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform, which integrates the information of all means of transportation, including bus, subway, taxi, shared bike and ferry, enabling international travelers to navigate the entire city using mobile phones in their hands.

Through the application, users can check travel routes and timetables for buses and subways, as well as real-time updates on vehicle locations and upcoming arrivals. The application also provides a Chinese version to domestic tourists for an easy and convenient travel experience.

"It's very convenient to switch between the different options, transportation options. It provides real data, real tracking for the bus routes, and when the times arrival. So, it makes it much more convenient for me to actually see when the buses are coming. I heard some time between June of this year, the Shanghai Municipality is going to release a highly anticipated APP called Easy Go. It's gonna integrate different functions from shopping, dining, transportation. I'm really looking forward to this APP and I'm really looking forward to introducing this APP to my friends," said Douglas, another tourist.

Shanghai will launch another one-stop inbound travel service platform, "Easy Go", this June. A wide range of functions, including hotel booking, attraction ticketing, car rentals, public transportation, courier services, medical guidance, multilingual translation and tax refund, will then be conveniently accessible in a single application.

"We offer [the services] to our passengers and international visitors in the simplest way, so that more foreign guests can enjoy the service through more convenient and efficient access," said Ye Jun, technical head of SH MaaS.

The Shanghai cultural and tourism authorities have launched an AI-based mini-program, which integrates the city's cultural and tourism resources into one platform. Whether visitors are interested in red tourism, city walks, intangible cultural heritage towns, performances, exhibitions, local delicacies, transportation or accommodation, all relevant information is readily accessible within the platform.

Meanwhile, the mini-program functions as a personalized tour guide, offering tailored travel itineraries based on individual preferences.

As one of Shanghai's most iconic landmarks, the Oriental Pearl Tower has introduced an intelligent companion service this year. Through mobile phones, visitors can receive one-on-one guidance, including route navigation, cultural introductions to the attraction and customized tour plans.

In addition to commentary services, the application also allows users to type in questions and receive real-time answers, with seamless switching between Chinese and English languages.

Moving forward, Shanghai will continue to develop its smart tourism service system, further enhancing the precision and customization of cultural and tourism services.

Shanghai launches one-stop services to enhance int'l tourist experiences

A growing number of newly retired residents in Shanghai are turning to one-stop social clubs designed specifically for seniors, reflecting rising demand for social activities and entertainment among the city's senior residents.

At one such club in Shanghai's Minhang District named Yitian, visitors can spend an entire day socializing, dining and taking part in activities including dancing, karaoke and board games. For just over 100 yuan (14.5 U.S. dollars) per person, the all-inclusive package covers two freshly cooked meals as well as access to entertainment facilities such as a dance floor and a professionally equipped stage.

Many customers say venues like this provide a rare platform where retirees can gather with friends, perform and stay socially active.

According to the Yitian Club's operations manager Qian Ziqing, around 99 percent of the customers are newly retired people between the ages of 55 and 65. Their main motivation is to reconnect with friends and maintain an active social life. He added that many in this group remain in good physical condition and have spending power and consumption habits comparable to younger consumers.

Qian said similar one-stop venues were rare when the club first opened, which helped attract strong customer demand. Many visitors would return shortly after their first visit, with the same-day repeat rate sometimes exceeding 50 percent.

Since opening its first location in 2023, the brand has expanded to four outlets in just over two years. Each store now records average monthly sales of more than 2 million yuan (about 290,000 U.S. dollars).

Industry observers say the model is not simply about dining, but about creating a dedicated social space for seniors. Through scaled operations, the clubs are able to lower costs while maintaining a wide range of services and experiences for customers.

Seniors' social clubs gain popularity among retirees in Shanghai