Overseas tourists in China are embracing the country's ample shopping opportunities, convenient payment technology and instant tax refunds for travelers.
Just a few months after "China Travel" emerged as a trending topic on social media sites amid the country's expanding visa-free policies, discussions of "China Shopping" have taken off as travelers discover the enormous availability of high-quality, fairly-priced made-in-China products.
From food and clothing to smartphones and drones, foreign visitors are discovering that China is a shopping paradise, especially in coastal cities such as Shanghai and Guangdong.
"WWe're from Italy. We came here for vacation. We are sisters. We bought some tea and t-shirts. Just souvenirs for friends and family," said a tourist.
"We are from Munich, Germany. We bought a lot of clothes, jewelry, and also skin care products," said another traveller.
"I just bought two pairs of shoes. My friends said to me next time when I come to China, I should take my luggage empty and buy lots of things for them," said a tourist named Azeem from Saudi Arabia
Official data shows inbound tourists spent over 94 billion US dollars last year, up over 77 percent year on year.
With convenient mobile payments available and the new refund-upon-purchase policy, international visitors are finding their shopping experience more convenient and rewarding.
Under the new policy, foreign visitors can instantly claim value-added tax (VAT) rebates at tax-free stores, enabling them to reuse the refunded amount in real time for further shopping. Previously, VAT rebates were only available for withdrawal upon departure.
"They give some of your money back. It makes you so happy that you want to buy more," said a foreign tourist.
Others were impressed with China's ubiquitous QR code-based payment options.
"The QR code, it's so simple, it's really, really effective. (I used) a little bit of cash here and there, but it's very convenient," said another overseas traveler.
China announced on Thursday that it will extend its visa-free policy to nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay starting from June 1 this year, with a trial period until May 31, 2026.
The visa policy and tourist-friendly services have also fueled a shopping frenzy among Chinese products with emerging technologies.
"I love intelligent products that are made in China, it's so convenient to find them here. The quality, the production value, the price, it's a great deal. And we love learning and finding the new products that are made, it's so exciting," said a foreign visitor.
"China Shopping" craze emerges as travelers discover abundance of quality products
