China has attracted a large number of international tourists this summer with diverse cultural and tourism experiences and convenient travel services, making the country a popular summer destination.
Data from online payment platform Alipay shows that from June onward, consumption by inbound tourists rose 72.9 percent year on year.
In addition to traditional hot destinations like Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, cities including Harbin, Dalian, Changchun, Guiyang and Xining have also gained popularity among international travelers, with consumption growing notably.
According to statistics, foreign tourists have now visited nearly 500 cities across China, with travel-related hashtags and trending topics constantly emerging on overseas social media platforms.
Foreign tourists are traveling to a wider range of destinations and seeing more of the country, from cities to villages, from famous sites to backstreets.
China's strong manufacturing capabilities, rich cultural appeal and convenient living infrastructure continue to draw global visitors.
"I think Chinese technology is cool, and we've seen a lot of it on social media. We've liked it a lot, the underground, it's very modern compared to other countries, because you can pay by QR code," said Iciar, a tourist from Spain.
Not only are tech products popular among foreign visitors, but in Shanghai, many tourists head straight to the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market after arrival to have garments custom-made to their preferences.
For international travelers, the custom clothing market is a must-visit place as it is ranked second on the list of the top attractions in Shanghai, only after the Bund, on global travel platform Tripadvisor.
The market now houses over 280 shops, fabric suppliers and tailor workshops.
The market is also famous for its cost-effective custom tailoring services thanks to the strong supply chain in the Yangtze River Delta.
Hand-tailored suits sold at the stores in the market generally cost less than one-third the price of equivalent items overseas.
From fabric selection to finished garment, the fastest turnaround can be as short as one day. What truly wins visitors over is the experience itself, as foreign tourists can get a close look at traditional Chinese aesthetics and the craftsmanship of Shanghai style when ordering a Qipao or Tang suit.
"I love this type. And the quality is very good as well, [it's] very fresh," said Florian, a customer from France.
"Every suit has its specific lining fabric. For example, the customer chose the lining for his suit himself. That's the beauty of tailoring. The customer can have it made exactly the way he likes," said Jiang Ming, a store owner.
China emerges as summer hotspot for foreign tourists
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s consumer price inflation eased in July, breaking a multi-month accelerating trend amid stabilizing energy prices and lower farm goods prices, statistical ministry data showed Tuesday.
The consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.8 percent in July from a year earlier, falling below 3.0 percent in three months, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It marked a noticeable deceleration from 3.2 percent in June, after accelerating from 2.0 percent in February to 2.2 percent in March, 2.6 percent in April and 3.1 percent in May.
Headline inflation, however, stayed above the central bank's mid-term inflation target of 2 percent for 11 straight months since September 2025.
The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent in July, turning toward monetary tightening in about three and a half years since January 2023.
Oil products price gained 15.5 percent last month, after spiking 24.7 percent in the previous month. The price lifted overall inflation by 0.60 percentage points.
Price for gasoline and diesel jumped 12.6 percent and 21.5 percent each, while computer price shot up 25.1 percent amid soaring semiconductor price. Price for industrial products, including oil products and processed food, advanced 3.7 percent in July compared to the same month last year, slower than an expansion of 4.4 percent in the previous month.
Processed food price added 1.0 percent in July from a year earlier, faster than a growth of 0.9 percent in the previous month.
Price for agricultural, livestock and fishery products climbed 0.9 percent in July from a year earlier, after picking up 3.2 percent in June.
Agricultural products price slipped 2.2 percent last month, turning downward from an increase of 1.1 percent in the prior month. Those for livestock and fishery products swelled 4.4 percent and 3.9 percent each.
Rice price mounted 7.9 percent, but those for napa cabbage, watermelon, spinach, cucumber and zucchini retreated in double figures. Those for beef, imported beef, pork, egg and mackerel increased in single digits.
Price for electricity, natural gas and tap water was up 0.4 percent in July on a yearly basis.
City gas charge and waterworks fee added in single digits, but heating cost dipped 0.2 percent.
Services price surged 2.6 percent last month, hiking up the headline inflation by 1.46 percentage points.
Public service price rose 1.4 percent, while private service price, including eating-out costs, expanded 3.5 percent.
The eating-out expense gained 2.6 percent, and the private service price excluding the dining-out cost jumped 4.1 percent.
Affected by a spike in fuel surcharges from rising oil prices, international airfares soared 21.7 percent last month.
Housing rent, including Jeonse and monthly rent, was up 1.1 percent in July from a year earlier.
Jeonse is the country's unique contract between two households where a landlord grants two-year residential rights to a tenant, who in turn lends a certain amount of money, or a deposit, to the landlord.
The livelihood items index, which gauges prices for daily necessities, climbed 2.5 percent, while the fresh food index, which measures prices for fish, shellfish, fruit and vegetables, declined 2.3 percent.
Demand-side inflationary pressure lingered. Core consumer price index, which excludes volatile agricultural and oil products, appreciated 2.5 percent last month.
The OECD-method core price, excluding volatile food and energy costs, went up 2.6 percent in the cited month.
ROK's consumer price inflation eases to 2.8 pct in July
