Shanghai Tops List for Shopping Among Foreign Tourists in China

According to payment data related to inbound tourism during the National Day holiday released by Alipay on the 7th, spending by foreign tourists in China surged, with a significant increase in the use of mobile payments. Alipay transaction volume saw a year-on-year increase of nearly 40%. Reports indicate that Shanghai, as the "first stop for inbound tourism," dominated the list of popular commercial districts, making it the preferred shopping destination for a large number of international visitors.

Data shows that dining, tourism, offline retail, and transportation were the top spending categories for inbound tourists. In particular, shopping activity saw a notable rise, with spending via Alipay at retail brands increasing by over 200% compared to the same period last year. The "buy, buy, buy" data from Alipay also reveals the most visited cities by inbound tourists. The list includes not only first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen but also lesser-known tourist destinations such as Jinhua, Zhuhai, and Foshan.

It is worth noting that many foreign tourists are not accustomed to QR code payments and prefer using NFC (Near Field Communication) payments. To address this, Alipay introduced the "Tap to Pay" feature, which resolved this pain point for inbound spending. During this year's National Day holiday, spending by foreign tourists using "Tap to Pay" increased by 500%.

As Shanghai’s influence as an international consumption hub city continues to grow, its well-known commercial districts have become essential stops for inbound tourists. According to Alipay statistics, the top five commercial districts where foreign tourists most frequently used "Tap to Pay" nationwide are located at Pudong Airport, Shanghai Bailian Outlets Plaza, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai No.1 Yaohan, and the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Center. Shanghai claimed four of these spots. Meanwhile, Shanghai No.1 Yaohan, Shenzhen Dayun Tiandi, Shanghai First Food Nandong Flagship Store, Shenzhen Kaledo, and Shanghai Jing'an Kerry Center were the fastest-growing hotspots for "Tap to Pay" spending by foreigners in China.

A representative from Alipay stated that the bustling spending activity of foreign tourists during the National Day holiday reflects new vitality in China's economic development. Visa-free policies, tax refunds, and mobile payments have become the three essential conveniences for foreigners traveling to China. Through continuous innovation, China's mobile payment services are meeting the travel needs of international visitors, helping them transition from "traveling in China" to "shopping in China," and injecting new momentum into inbound tourism consumption.