Shanghai Pilots National Digital Service Platform as Inbound Tourism Market Flourishes

A group of foreign travelers tours the Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai.

Shanghai's inbound tourism market has boomed in 2026, driven by expanded visa waiver and transit visa exemption policies, cementing the city's status as China's top destination for overseas travelers.

The city recorded 4.38 million inbound tourist visits from January to May, posting a year-on-year increase of 29.06 percent, according to the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism. The strong growth reflects sustained robust momentum in cross-border visitor arrivals and Shanghai's continued appeal as a major gateway for international travelers entering China.

South Korea remained Shanghai's largest source market during the January-May period, with 447,500 arrivals, up 25.67 percent year on year. Russia ranked second with 291,900 arrivals, surging 130.18 percent.

The United States and Thailand followed, while Malaysia ranked fifth.

Foreign visitors show a meal shopping receipt.

Russia, Indonesia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia were the five fastest-growing source markets. Russian arrivals more than doubled from a year earlier.

Canada and the UK were among the countries newly covered by China's expanded visa-free policy from February 17, indicating the policy's growing impact on long-haul inbound travel markets.

To eliminate language and payment barriers for inbound travelers, a national digital service platform has been launched in Shanghai as a pilot operation, amid booming cross-border travel, according to the administration.

The Meet China platform delivers multilingual guidance and cross-border payment solutions to streamline travel, shopping and cultural consumption for international tourists.

The Meet China terminal is placed at frequently visited landmark venues across the city.

It supports 10 languages and provides real-time travel tips, product explanations and cultural context to help foreign visitors understand local offerings before consumption.

To make payment more convenient, the system connects with major international payment channels. Inbound travelers can search for local delicacies, place online orders and complete payment and collect meals with receipts.

As the nation's first pilot city for the platform, Shanghai has deployed the intelligent terminals at frequently visited landmark venues across the city. They include Yuyuan Garden, Hong Kong Plaza, the Huaihai Road commercial hub, and the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Site.

Meet China will provide multilingual access to tickets, cultural and creative products and themed catering services during the upcoming exhibition, "A House of Nobility – Aesthetics and Cultivation of Life in the Mawangdui Han Tombs," scheduled to open on July 3 at the China Art Museum.

Sources: City News Service