TMTPOST -- Strolling along the North Bund and Tian An 1000 Trees in Shanghai, one might be surrounded by Thai chatter. Walking down Nanjing Road or through Tianzifang, the atmosphere shifts as groups of Korean visitors enliven the streets. At Yuyuan Garden and the Bund, English-speaking travelers take photos and taste local snacks. Déjà vu. Shanghai, the commercial cosmopolis, is back to its pre-pandemic vibe.

The streets and alleys have seen an influx of foreign tourists, especially from neighboring countries.Statistics show that China’s recent 240-hour visa-free transit policy for visitors from 54 designated countries,  compared with the previous 144 hours, has significantly boosted inbound tourism. A total of 95 million inbound trips were made in the first three quarters of 2024, recovering to over 90% of 2019 levels.

As of November 30, four million foreign visitors entering Shanghai through its immigrations, double the number from the same period last year, making it the highest in the country among airport entries. This includes 1.377 million foreigners entering with visa exemptions, and 40,000 foreigners benefiting from the 144-hour visa-free transit, which are 4.8 times and 2.4 times the figures from last year, respectively.

Chart made by AsianFin

On average, nearly 386,000 foreigners have been arriving in Shanghai each month this year, and this momentum is continuing as the year comes to a close. In October alone, nearly 500,000 foreigners arrived, which is more than 200,000 higher than the number at the end of 2023. 

Global travel provider Trip.com reports that inbound trips to China has more than doubled compared to 2023. Growth among visitors from the visa-free countries outpaces the average, with a 189% increase year-on-year. Shanghai, in particular, has seen inbound tourism orders rise by over 130%, cementing its position as China’s top tourist destination.  

Among the top 10 major source countries, in addition to the United States and European countries, neighboring countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia are also on the list.

According to a recent report by South Korea's SBS TV station, since China started implementing unilateral visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders, the number of reservations made by South Koreans traveling to China has surged dramatically.

Travel agencies in South Korea report dramatic growth. Between November 1 and 21, bookings for trips to China rose 75% compared to the previous month, with Shanghai-bound orders skyrocketing by 178%.  

Thailand has also emerged as a significant source of visitors. Despite the chilly winter in Shanghai, Thai tourists flock to attractions like the iconic Tian An 1000 Trees, a unique structure resembling a “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” with its tree-topped pillars.  

“We saw this on TikTok and thought it was stunning,” said Thai tourist Tanika, posing with friends under the illuminated trees. “Even at night, the view is breathtaking.”  

China recently extended its visa-free transit policy to allow eligible foreign travelers a 10-day stay. This move has unlocked immense potential for inbound tourism.  

“Foreign tourists associate China with safety, cleanliness, rich history, friendly people, and delicious food,” said James Liang, co-founder of Trip.com. “Inbound tourism can significantly contribute to China’s economy. If it reaches the level of countries like Spain, where tourism accounts for 5% of GDP, it could boost China’s GDP by 1%, adding at least 1 trillion yuan to the economy.”

Trip.com’s overseas platforms have seen a 500% year-on-year increase in searches for Chinese tourist routes, with hotel bookings for inbound tourism doubling. Chinese scenic spots, hotels, and travel agencies are reaping the benefits of this rapid growth.

 Singaporean tourist Li Yuanfeng is touring Shanghai. Under the assistance of a tour guide, they visited the Wuzhong Market in the city’s downtown area, a popular shopping spot for local residents that has now become a trendy check-in location for tourists. Here, visitors experience the bustling atmosphere of Chinese daily life.

In the clean and tidy market, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats are neatly arranged, with clear English signs, power banks available for rent via QR code, and affordable snack shops. All of this made Li feel very comfortable. They spent 50 RMB in cash to buy a large bag of grapes and kumquatsafter trying WeChat Pay and Alipay.

In October 2024, the number of offline transactions and transaction amounts using foreign bank cards increased by 184% and 150%, respectively, compared to February, according to statistics from major credit card organizations.

In October this year, over 2.93 million incoming visitors used mobile payments, with the transaction volume reaching three times that of February. The "China Internet Development Status Report" shows that in the first half of this year, more than five million incoming visitors used mobile payments, a fourfold year-on-year increase. There were over 90 million transactions, amounting to over 14 billion yuan, both of which saw a sevenfold increase compared to the same period last year.

“Shanghai is a very fascinating city, where modern office buildings and residential neighborhoods blend together, making it very convenient for people,” Li said. “Cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, and Xi'an are all so different, offering a very diverse experience.”

“What’s behind the landscape is people’s real life,” said Dai Bin, director of the China Tourism Academy. He believes that both Chinese and foreign tourists are increasingly entering each other's daily life scenes. People are experiencing culture, increasing mutual understanding, and strengthening cultural exchanges during their travels. The prosperity, urbanization, and prospering rural development in China will make it even more attractive. 

The inbound tourism boom has transformed locals’ lives and businesses. Tour guide Lan He, who initially viewed guiding as a side job, is now fully booked. “I only have five free days this month,” she said, noting that colleagues have schedules packed well into next year.   

Entrepreneurs like Xu Sheng, who focus on inbound tourism, are thriving. In just three months, Xu earned 450,000 yuan ($61,658), and expects record-breaking income in December. 

Xiao Peng, a researcher at the Qunar Big Data Research Institute, explained that with adjustments to local hotel policies, the supply of three-star and higher hotels capable of accommodating foreign guests in second-tier cities has basically met the demand of foreign tourists. These hotels are located in major commercial areas, tourist attractions, and transportation hubs, most of which are along subway lines, offering convenient transportation.

French graffiti artist Paul Desio, who has lived in Shanghai for 17 years, has witnessed the flourishing of urban public art in the city. "Take the M50 Creative Park area as an example. In 2006, there were only sporadic spray-painted pictures on the street walls. Today, the facades of nearby residential buildings are often adorned with artistic graffiti, giving visitors a refreshing experience. Many of our graffiti works have received support from Shanghai citizens, and some even come with their grandchildren to create graffiti together," he said. 

As Shanghai continues to refine its tourism infrastructure and expand visa-free access,a tourism boom is on the horizon. With its vibrant attractions and tourist-friendly policies, Shanghai is set to welcome even more international visitors in the coming months.