BUSINESS

Foreign Travelers to China Jump in Wake of Visa Waivers, Bigger Tax Refunds

Published: May. 6, 2025 7:22 p.m. GMT+8

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Visitors at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing during the Labor Day holiday. Foreigners made more than 1.1 million trips into and out of the Chinese mainland during the five-day break. Photo: Beijing Daily

China saw a sharp increase in foreign visitors during this year’s Labor Day holiday, following the implementation of expanded visa-free policies and upgraded tax rebate programs.

Foreigners made more than 1.1 million trips into and out of the Chinese mainland during the five-day break, up 43.1% from the same period a year earlier. A total of 380,000 inbound trips were made visa-free — a 72.7% surge year-on-year, according to data released by the National Immigration Administration.

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Foreign trips into and out of China during Labor Day exceeded 1.1 million, up 43.1% year-on-year; visa-free inbound trips rose 72.7% to 380,000.
China expanded visa-free access to 38 countries and updated tax refund policies, boosting travel bookings by 130% and Alipay spending by 180%.
Top foreign destinations included Shanghai and Shenzhen, with significant increases in travel for shopping and immersive local experiences.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Trip.com: According to the article, Trip.com reported that travel bookings to China during the Labor Day holiday rose 130% year-on-year. The most popular destinations were Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Chengdu. Foreign travelers increasingly preferred immersive experiences, with bookings for local food tours increasing nearly sevenfold compared to last year. Trip.com also noted a surge in social media buzz around shopping sprees and wholesale purchasing trips, particularly to Shanghai and Yiwu.

Alipay: According to the article, inbound visitors’ spending via Alipay surged 180% year-on-year during the Labor Day holiday. Foreigners could use Alipay by linking their foreign bank cards or by using their home e-wallets through the Alipay+ network. The most spending was at retailers like Freshippo, Miniso, Pop Mart, Haidilao, and also at wholesale markets such as Yiwu Market and Guangzhou International Textile City.

Freshippo: Freshippo is a grocery store chain in China, highlighted in the article as one of the top businesses where foreign visitors increased their spending during the Labor Day holiday. It was among the most popular retail destinations for foreigners using Alipay, reflecting a trend toward shopping and consumption at well-known Chinese brands.

Miniso: According to the article, Miniso is mentioned as one of the popular businesses where foreign visitors spent the most during China’s Labor Day holiday. It is a lifestyle goods store, favored by international tourists, who increased their spending in China significantly during the holiday period.

Pop Mart: Pop Mart is a trendy toy shop in China popular among foreign visitors. According to the article, it is one of the top businesses where inbound tourists spent the most during the recent Labor Day holiday, highlighting its appeal to international shoppers seeking unique or collectible items during their travels in China.

Haidilao: According to the article, Haidilao is a hotpot restaurant chain in China where foreign visitors spent the most during the Labor Day holiday. It was mentioned as one of the popular businesses among inbound travelers, alongside others like Freshippo, Miniso, and Pop Mart, highlighting its appeal to international tourists.

AI generated, for reference only