Shanghai, on the Chinese mainland, is welcoming a noticeable surge of visitors from Southeast Asia, with travellers from Thailand leading the way. This year, the city’s streets and alleys have become a playground for young explorers armed with social-media-sourced checklists that map out a new, multifaceted experience of the Chinese mainland.
Unlike traditional tours that 'tick off' landmarks in a fixed order, these Thai travellers curate their own paths. From sunrise yoga sessions by the Bund to pop-up art shows in the French Concession, each stop is shared in real time through Instagram reels and TikTok snippets – complete with location tags and insider tips.
Data-driven trends show that hashtags like #ShanghaiHiddenGems and #ThaiInShanghai have spiked on social platforms, fueling a feedback loop: more discoveries lead to more posts, which inspire the next wave of travellers.
But the shift goes beyond sightseeing. Business-minded visitors are using this momentum to explore Shanghai's co-working spaces and startup incubators, while foodies are sampling fusion street food stalls and eco-friendly coffee shops that blend local flavours with modern sustainability practices.
For the young global citizen, Shanghai has become a living lab – where culture, innovation and community intersect. As Thai travellers document each find, they reshape how the Chinese mainland is experienced, one hashtag at a time.
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Thai tourists flock to Shanghai for a multifaceted experience of China
cgtn.com
