Duty-free shopping is gaining popularity among international tourists to China after Chinese authorities rolled out new policies to expand duty-free shops across the country.
Many tourists are impressed by the convenient tax-refund services provided by duty-free shops at airports, seaports and land border crossings.
As one of the 41 newly added port entry duty-free shops in China, the store in Suifenhe City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has witnessed a fervent shopping boom during the ongoing Spring Festival.
Some tourists from bordering Russia have even formed shopping groups to pool orders and enjoy discounts for products such as perfumes, cosmetics, and sunglasses.
"I see a variety of goods here and the prices are much lower than in our country. It feels like a fun shopping adventure," said a Russian tourist.
China's new policies have also included cultural and creative products, sports equipment, and pet food within the scope of tax-free goods, offering a richer array of categories and choices for international tourists.
"I came today to buy skincare products. The prices are very cheap here," said a Russian tourist in southern China's Hainan Province.
In Shanghai, a hotel in Huangpu District has introduced a "stay-and-refund" service model for departure tax refunds, allowing tourists to process tax refund procedures right after returning to the hotel with their purchases.
"Getting the tax refund at the hotel is very convenient, so I don't have to go to the airport for the procedure," said a tourist from the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Duty-free shopping popular among int'l tourists during Spring Festival holiday
More and more tourists from Argentina are coming to China for visit since the beginning of 2026, with a notable surge during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, as they take advantage of the visa-free access and new air routes connecting the two countries.
In Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Chinese New Year celebrations have been held to embrace the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The festivities attracted people from all walks of life in the Latin American country.
"The best thing is seeing people here, trying out the typical food. I came to have fun and take photos with people," said a local resident dressed up as Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi in the celebrations.
Local tourist agencies have recorded more Argentines traveling to China during the Spring Festival season. Sebastian Aristimuno and Marina Muzzio, a couple who runs a Chinese martial art school in La Plata, is preparing their sixth trip to China to train in the art of Kung Fu with a shifu, or teacher. They first went to China in 2016.
Recalling their first trip to China, Aristimuno said "It was the first time we had been to an Asian country, and I was fascinated by the culture, by the language, the arts, painting, sculpture, also the martial arts."
The couple said visa-free policies, direct flights and the 21st century technology had made their visits more comfortable.
"These days, it is all much easier. You no longer need a tourist visa. There is a direct flight available that takes about the same time as other fights but is more convenient. And there are apps available that help you with translation, maps and trains, and that all makes it much easier," said Muzzio.
A direct flight between Beijing and Buenos Aires takes around 30 hours. Despite the time, distance and logistics involved in traveling from Argentina to China, more people are making that journey. Local reports in China suggest the number of bookings from Argentina to visit China is up nine-fold this year.
"As China began opening up, people travel for business and then fall in love with the country. So they go back as tourists," said Elena Chen, who runs a tourist agency that specializes in travel between China and Argentina.
China's visa-free policy, new routes attract more tourists from Argentina
