As "China Travel" and "China Shopping" experiences soar in popularity, Huaqiangbei, one of the world's largest electronics markets in south China's tech hub of Shenzhen, has become a popular destination for foreign tourists.
With a business area covering 1.45 square kilometers, Huaqiangbei is home to around 110,000 businesses, which offer a vast array of electronic gadgets to shoppers, such as drones, laptops, AI glasses, and AI translators.
"It's nice. It's really big. It's kind of overwhelming as well. There are so many different things here," said Lisa Oosten, a Dutch tourist.
Huaqiangbei attracts over 7,000 foreign tourists every day, accounting for 30 percent of its foot traffic, according to Wang Chengzhu, deputy general manager of the market.
"We have been going to a lot of countries. But especially its electric things and other [products], everything is very nice and [there are] very good things in China," said Farid Ahmed, a Bangladesh tourist.
"Shenzhen and all of China is just like known for its electronics and consumer products. And we find everything over here. So it's just days go [past] here and you don't even know if it's morning or night when you're inside," said an Indian tourist.
"Foreign tourists are generally here for digital products, as a result of China's rapid technological development. For instance, they like drones and action cameras very much," said Li Wen, a sales representative of a DJI retail store at the market.
Beyond shopping, foreign tourists are also gaining fresh perspectives on China and its people during encounters with the country's scenic landscape and profound culture.
"This photo is from my wife in the Great Wall. This is our first time in China. The first time is for [getting to] know the country. We are really surprised with the people of China. We saw a beautiful people," said Leandro Orselli, an Argentinian tourist.
Despite being a cashless and mobile-first market, Huaqiangbei has a currency exchange just downstairs to make it easier for foreign shoppers.
"[It's] very convenient, because everything is within probably less than half a kilometer. You can see many malls, you can see many places. You can visit, you can compare. It is good to look around," said Shekar Chandrashekar, a tourist.
The "China Travel" and "China Shopping" boom stems from China's visa-free entry and transit policies, as well as high-quality and fairly-priced Made-in-China products.
Electronics market in south China's Shenzhen emerges as popular destination for foreign tourists
