Shenzhen's high-quality electronics, clothing, and gold jewelry are drawing waves of foreign tourists, eager to shop during their visits to the southern Chinese metropolis.
With China expanding its entry policies to include more countries, a growing number of foreign travelers are flocking to the country for tourism and shopping. Since the start of the year, passenger flows at entry ports in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, have consistently remained high.
In the first five months of this year, the Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport handled 2.56 million passenger trips on international and regional routes, marking a 33 percent year on year increase.
Tourists praised their enjoyable shopping experiences and excellent service in Shenzhen, calling it a key gateway for international visitors to discover China.
"I very like the city. It's a modern city with good food, with good shopping, with good service. I can buy a lot of things in Shenzhen. It's very convenient," said Denis, a Russian tourist.
"I bought lots of clothes, and stuffed animals, and souvenirs for my children. I bought snacks to take home, and [they are] very affordable. This is my first time visiting Shenzhen, and I can't wait to come back," said Danielle, an American tourist.
Additionally, streamlined departure tax refund measures have also sparked strong enthusiasm among foreign travelers for shopping in Shenzhen.
Shenzhen's locally made electronic products and affordable, high-quality gold jewelry are top picks for foreign visitors. Renowned as China's tech hub, the city is also home to the country's largest gold jewelry manufacturing and trading hub, the Shuibei Market.
At the Shuibei Market, numerous foreign visitors, including business buyers, have selected their favorite gold ornaments.
"Normally, rings and bracelets, gold. Some for gifts and some for business to sell in the U.S. Well, this city is the best city in China, you know, because [of] the high-tech and also electronics, and of course jewelry," said Levy, an American businessman.
Meanwhile, locally-made electronic products, including mobile phones and drones, have also become increasingly popular among foreign visitors.
"Basically, they come to the store with a strong intent to buy, and the conversion rate reaches around 70 percent," said Zhang Dou, a saleclerk of a DJI store.
As of May 19, Shenzhen Border Inspection Station reported over 100 million inbound and outbound passengers this year - achieving the milestone 24 days earlier than in 2024.
Foreign tourists enjoy exceptional shopping experiences in Shenzhen
Foreign tourists enjoy exceptional shopping experiences in Shenzhen
Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province saw a soaring number of visitors from abroad on Thursday, the first day of 2026 and also the opening day of China's three-day New Year holiday, as festive celebrations unfolded across the city.
Major border checkpoints in the city recorded peak inbound passenger flows, with large numbers of travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas entering the city to experience its vibrant holiday vibes.
"I'm so happy 'cause this is the first day of 2026, and I'm bringing my friends to visit Shenzhen," said a visitor from Hong Kong.
International tourists also shared their excitement.
"It's a very modern city and it's interesting to see such a New Year Eve in such a city," said an overseas visitor.
The inbound passenger flow at Luohu Port peaked from 8:00 to 20:00 on Thursday, said an officer there, adding the average daily passenger flow during the New Year break is expected to reach about 240,000.
At the West Kowloon Station port, eye-catching red decorations themed around the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival which will mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse added to the festive mood.
As a key transportation hub of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the port also saw heavy two-way passenger traffic. Daily cross-border passenger flow there is expected to average around 100,000 during the holiday.
An Australian tourist said he was looking forward to his trip to south China.
"I am from Melbourne, Australia and I'm coming to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in China. I'm excited to see all the tall buildings, especially all the ones that light up and experience a new culture in China." said a tourist.
Outside the ports, celebrations were in full swing as the city prepared for rising visitor numbers.
A large-scale parade featuring more than 30 themed formations kicked off in the morning along the 1.6-kilometer Festival Avenue in Shenzhen's Futian District.
The event drew huge crowds with inflatable cartoon characters, lively drum performances, and traditional Yingge Dance -- a form of folk dance popular in south China's Guangdong Province that merges opera, dance, and martial arts.
Nearby commercial zones also rolled out special consumption coupons, allowing visitors to enjoy a one-stop experience combining festive celebrations and shopping.
"The atmosphere is really nice. We feel very welcomed here. It's a very, very international vibe", said an international visitor.
China continues to grow in popularity as a destination for overseas travelers. Data from online tourism platforms show that inbound flight bookings to China rose 20 percent year on year on the first day of the holiday, with Shenzhen ranking fifth among the country's most popular inbound travel destinations.
"On the first day of holiday, international flight ticket purchases to Shenzhen has increased by 52.5 percent while the international flight bookings to the city has grown by 33 percent," said Shi Ke, a researcher from big data research institute of Qunar, an online travel service provider.
Shenzhen embraces influx of visitors on first day of 2026
