Inbound tourists indulged with shopping spree in Shanghai

An Iranian student (L) tastes local specialties with her parents at a gift shop on Nanjing Road in east China's Shanghai on July 17, 2025.

China now has unilateral visa exemption for 47 countries and transit visa exemption for 55 countries, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on July 11.

Fueled by relaxed visa rules, there has been a significant increase in the number of foreign passport holders entering China, leading to a surge in inbound tourism consumption.

Positioned as a world-class tourism hub with global appeal, Shanghai Municipality has witnessed the strong consumption vitality of inbound tourism in the first half of this year. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)