China’s inbound tourism is really booming! 🔥 Thanks to visa-free policies and convenient payment options, more and more people are starting “spontaneous trips to China.”
CFT has compiled the most popular experiences among foreign tourists—let’s see what they’re really into! 👇
❶ Panda Base “Star-Chasing” 🐼
Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is a must-visit for tourists! Especially top-tier pandas like “Hua Hua”—many visitors love taking photos with panda plushies.
❷ Hanfu Experience + Travel Photography 📸
From Nanjing and Shanghai’s Yu Garden to Beijing’s Forbidden City, everyone loves dressing up in Hanfu for photos! Tourists even say, “Wearing Hanfu makes me feel like I’ve traveled back in time!”
❸ Hotpot + Sichuan Cuisine “Spicy Challenge” 🌶️
Americans flock to Haidilao Hotpot, while Italian tourists devour Mapo Tofu! Many also enjoy filming their “spicy tears” reactions—it’s pure entertainment.
❹ Blind Box “Full Set” Craze 🎁
Pop Mart’s LABUBU and MOLLY series are wildly popular among tourists, with some families even going on shopping sprees! Global limited editions are cheaper in China, and you can even get tax refunds.
❺ High-Speed Rail “China Speed” Experience 🚄
Tourists are amazed by the convenience of high-speed trains, especially the 2-hour travel circle in Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai and the Sichuan-Chongqing route. One Russian blogger visited 16 cities in six months—all thanks to high-speed rail.
❻ Traditional Chinese Medicine + Intangible Cultural Heritage Experiences 🌿
Russian tourists specifically seek out TCM pulse readings, while Americans learn to make soup dumplings and tie-dye… Deep cultural experiences are becoming a new trend.
❼ “Internet-Famous Streets” Citywalk 🚶
Shanghai’s Wukang Road, Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, Chongqing’s Hongya Cave… Tourists love filming vlogs here, often set to the trending BGM “city or not?”—making them viral hits.
❽ Tech Store Visits 📱
Huawei flagship stores’ foldable phones and delivery robots leave tourists exclaiming, “The future is here!” Italian visitors say, “Huawei is super popular overseas—we had to check it out in China.”
❾ Local Market “Vibrant Atmosphere” 🥬
From Shanghai’s Yongkang Road Market to drinking tea in Chengdu’s People’s Park… Tourists adore experiencing local life, even learning to cook Chinese dishes.
❿ Visa-Free “Weekend Getaways” ✈️
South Koreans are into “flying to Shanghai after work on Friday and returning Monday!” Japanese and Korean tourists love these short trips, combining food, fun, and shopping.
Tourists are no longer just “checking off landmarks”—they’re seeking deep, immersive experiences!
