The Chinese mainland saw inbound tourism orders skyrocket by 173% year-on-year during this year’s five-day May Day holiday, according to Trip.com Group.
Passport stamps and shopping sprees are back on the menu as the Chinese mainland rolled out a brand-new refund-upon-purchase tax policy. Visitors snapped up everything from street snacks to the latest smartphones, motivated by both convenience and savings.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Visa perks: New visa-free entry and transit policies drew more international travellers.
- Instant refunds: Tax refunds now happen at checkout, and the minimum spend threshold dropped from 500 to 200 yuan.
- Shanghai’s lead: In Q1, the city welcomed 1.743 million international visitors (+37.1%). Of 587 tax refund outlets, 284 are piloting the new model.
“Shanghai’s departure tax refund sales have always been among the highest in the country,” says Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce. “Last holiday, 86,000 forms were issued, and refunded-goods sales hit 2.37 billion yuan—a year-on-year increase of 86.6%.”
Whether you’re a business-savvy entrepreneur hunting for gadgets, a digital nomad craving immersive experiences, or a culture seeker exploring bustling markets, the Chinese mainland is making it easier than ever to dive in. With drop-in tax perks and streamlined payments, every checkout becomes part of your travel story.
Ready to plan your next trip? Keep your passport handy and your shopping list closer—this surge is just the beginning.
Reference(s):
China's inbound tourism trips for May Day holiday surge to 173%
cgtn.com
