Shanghai, a vibrant city blending cultural heritage with modernity, offers a unique experience for both business and leisure travelers. With its 144-hour visa-free transit policy, Shanghai welcomes visitors from numerous countries, providing an accessible entry point to explore its dynamic environment. The city’s economic prowess, iconic attractions, and diverse culinary landscape make it a top-tier destination for a wide range of travelers.
Plaza 66, a renowned luxury mall in Shanghai, has launched a new ‘BUY & TAX REFUND’ service for offshore tourists. This service offers immediate cash refunds on eligible purchases, providing a convenient and rewarding shopping experience.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport has launched a new 24/7 service station at Terminal 2, designed to provide essential services and assistance to international travelers arriving in the city. The station offers various services, including SIM card purchases, currency exchange, mobile payment consultation, transportation pass sales, and access to portable WiFi equipment. The station aims to create a seamless and convenient arrival experience for international visitors.
Shanghai has expanded its foreign currency exchange services to all 16 districts, including airports, hotels, and commercial areas. The city is aiming to provide convenient and diverse exchange options for international visitors, with a network of franchised institutions, agencies, ATMs, and self-service machines. Shanghai also offers digital RMB services and accepts a wide range of currencies, including those from countries along the Belt and Road initiative.
The Malaysia Food and Culture Festival has commenced in Shanghai, bringing together the diverse beauty of Malaysia’s heritage, culture, and modern lifestyle. The festival showcases a range of cultural activities, food tastings, and travel packages at Pudong Shanghai Qiantan Taikoo Li. At the Shangri-La Qiantan Shanghai, visitors can indulge in Malaysia’s culinary delights, featuring chefs from Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines is the official airline partner for the event, offering special fares to promote tourism between China and Malaysia.
Windermere Lake Cruises, Cumbria’s top visitor attraction, is targeting the Chinese market with the launch of direct flights between Manchester and Shanghai. Sales and Marketing Director Jennifer Cormack believes the new route will boost tourism in the Lake District, which is popular among Chinese tourists. Windermere Lake Cruises has been actively promoting Cumbria in key international markets, including India, China, the USA, and Europe. The latest trade mission to Shanghai aims to develop partnerships with Chinese tour operators and travel buyers.
In a move to foster closer ties with Europe, China has decided to extend its visa-exemption policy for citizens of 12 European countries until December 31, 2025. This follows the successful implementation of a pilot program launched in December 2021, which saw a significant increase in inbound tourism from Europe. The extension is expected to further boost travel and deepen economic and cultural exchange between China and Europe.
Shanghai emerged as a top choice for inbound tourism during the recent May Day holiday. The “free half-day tour” initiative by Trip.com saw a remarkable 130 percent increase in bookings, aiming to enhance visitor experiences and showcase China positively. Popular inbound flight destinations included Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, highlighting their global appeal. The “Visit Shanghai” initiative, promoted in 14 languages, strategically showcased Shanghai’s urban tourism allure. The city hosted events like the 2024 Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour, Shanghai Auto Culture Festival, and Shanghai Coffee Week, attracting visitors globally. Shanghai’s cultural landscape was enriched with over 200 offline displays, 1,000 educational activities, and 10,000 public events. The city’s tourism authority reported a 3.77 percent increase in visitors, reflecting its growing popularity as a premier tourist destination.
From May 6th to May 20th, 2024, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi will be hosting an interactive pop-up event titled ‘Meet Me in Shanghai.’ This immersive experience will provide travelers with a taste of Shanghai’s vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights. Engaging activities include the Shanghai Immersive Parallax Photo Booth, themed zones featuring a Shanghai Coffee Shop and Xiaolongbao Shop, and an Instagram competition with exciting prizes. The event aims to showcase Shanghai as a top tourist destination while enhancing cultural exchange and stimulating excitement about travel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken initiated his first day in Shanghai with local government officials, discussing regional issues with Chinese Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining. His itinerary includes engaging with students and business leaders before departing for Beijing for talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi amidst tensions stemming from China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Biden administration’s foreign assistance to Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Blinken emphasized the necessity of direct engagement between the two nations, and Chen expressed hope that Blinken’s visit would foster mutual understanding.
