Shanghai is stepping up efforts to increase spending by international visitors as it seeks to boost consumption and accelerate its transformation into a global consumption center -- a trend visible in the recent increase of tourists from other countries entering China through the city's ports around the Spring Festival period.
The city will enhance facilitation for inbound tourism, departure tax refunds and cross-border payments to further boost inbound consumption, according to the municipal government work report delivered at the annual session of the local legislature.
Shanghai, a major destination for international travelers, registered 9.36 million inbound visits last year, up nearly 40 percent year on year and a new annual record.
The travel boom can be attributed to the relaxed visa and travel facilitation policies. Data from the National Immigration Administration shows that in 2025, China expanded its unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of 48 countries, while the number of countries offering reciprocal visa exemptions rose to 29.
Tax refund activity has also seen a surge. Data from the Shanghai Municipal Tax Service shows that in 2025, departure tax refund applications filed by international visitors quadrupled from the previous year, while total sales and refund amounts both grew by 80 percent. The number of registered tax refund stores in the city exceeded 1,800, reflecting the city's effort to facilitate inbound spending.
Across global social media platforms, terms like "Becoming Chinese" and "China Shopping" have gained traction, reflecting growing interest in immersive, hands-on experiences in China.
On Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, some of them lined up to buy trendy Chinese collectibles, while others browsed the flagship store of drone maker DJI in the Xintiandi commercial area, selecting high-tech products made in China. Such scenes have become increasingly common in Shanghai's international tourism landscape.
Beyond the city's main shopping districts, many international tourists are also seeking experience-based activities that highlight China's traditional culture and history.
The Spring Festival holiday, running from Feb 15 to 23, is expected to become another opportunity for international tourists to visit, with Shanghai emerging as one of the most prominent entry points
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