By People’s Daily reporters

“Bring an extra suitcase to China.” 

“Must-buy lists for ‘Shopping in China.'”

“A practical guide to tax refunds.” 

Posts tagged “Shopping in China” are going viral on overseas social media, highlighting a surge in shopping enthusiasm among inbound travelers.

Data from China’s State Taxation Administration shows that in 2025, the number of overseas visitors claiming tax refunds surged 305 percent year on year, while sales of eligible goods jumped 95.9 percent and total refunds rose 95.8 percent.

The shift from “China Travel” to “Shopping in China” signifies more than just changing visitor habits. These practical shopping guides, widely shared online, point to deeper transformations in China’s tourism market, as increasingly diverse consumption scenarios are reshaping foreign visitors’ itineraries.

At a digital products store on Beijing’s bustling Wangfujing pedestrian street, an Italian tourist named Luca was browsing smart bands from a Chinese brand, asking about differences between models and phone compatibility. 

After testing various features with help from a sales assistant, he purchased four units — one for his wife, an avid morning runner; two for his parents, who could use the health-monitoring functions; and one for his child, who would stand out at school with the stylish gadget.

Ahead of his trip to China, Luca said friends back home had already asked him to bring back items such as Bluetooth earphones and portable chargers.

As Chinese tech products sweep the globe, foreign tourists’ shopping lists are expanding beyond traditional souvenirs to include high-tech products. Foldable smartphones, AI goggles, and drones are increasingly finding their way into their shopping carts.

Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, often dubbed China’s top electronics hub, has become a must-visit destination. 

At major markets such as Huaqiang Electronics World and SEG E-Market, foreign visitors carrying large bags or even rolling suitcases stand out in the crowd. 

“People used to think of Chinese specialties as tea or panda-themed souvenirs, but now these tech-driven smart products are the new ‘must-buys,'” said an Egyptian tourist, his shopping bags filled after a busy morning.

Yiwu in east China’s Zhejiang province, known as the “world’s supermarket,” offers a one-stop shopping experience, from nail clippers and phone cases to smart home appliances and drones, making it another key stop for foreign visitors. 

A Russian tourist named Anna purchased a portable smart translator capable of real-time translation in over 100 languages for her son. “Yiwu defies expectations. It’s not just a wholesale market for cheap goods; it feels more like a ‘laboratory for future living,'” she said.

Beyond the appeal of quality and innovation in Chinese manufacturing, many foreign visitors are also captivated by Chinese aesthetics.

The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum has launched a refrigerator magnet inspired by the caisson in the Heavenly Palace of Longfu Temple. Chengdu’s Kuanzhai Alley, a premier historical and cultural district, incorporates panda elements into its souvenirs. “Rong Momo,” a stuffed toy modeled on roujiamo, a well-known street food from Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province, is popular among tourists.

Culturally distinctive keepsakes have grown increasingly popular among foreign tourists in recent years. These locally designed products offer an accessible glimpse into Chinese aesthetics and cultural sensibilities.

As policies facilitating inbound tourism continue to improve, services across visa processing, border clearance, international transport, and payment have become more convenient. At the same time, immersive consumption experiences are emerging as a new highlight of “Shopping in China.”

On Guozijian Street in Beijing’s Dongcheng district, a Canadian tourist named Lillian donned traditional Chinese attire for her first travel photoshoot. “These are some of the best photos of my life,” she shared. From choosing costumes and makeup to learning traditional poses and etiquette, this experience sparked in her a strong fascination with traditional Chinese culture.

At a tax refund counter on Shanghai’s Madang Road No. 159, foreign visitors queued to complete refund procedures. Asked about their “Shopping in China” experience, many responded with a thumbs-up, describing it as “affordable, convenient, and a great overall experience.”

As the potential of “Shopping in China” continues to unfold, cities and regions across the country are moving quickly to seize the momnet. By rolling out tailored policies and incentives, they aim to build a more internationalized consumption environment where foreign visitors can travel with ease and shop with greater value.

By the end of November 2025, China had 12,252 departure tax refund stores nationwide, including 9,151 newly added that year. More than 7,000 stores now offer instant refund services, with coverage continuing to expand to better meet the needs of overseas travelers.

By Wang Xinyue, People’s Daily

At 9 a.m., a gym for seniors at the activity center of Lijia community in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, came alive. Wan Ming, 85, walked in, fastened a real-time heart rate monitoring armband and headed for a smart vertical vibration therapy chair.

There was no blasting music or crowds of young gym-goers. Soft lighting, non-slip flooring, barrier-free access, handrails and emergency stop buttons created a calm and reassuring environment at the city’s first gym designed exclusively for senior citizens.

A regular visitor since the trial opening, Wan said treadmills in conventional gyms are often difficult for seniors to use and carry a higher risk of falls. “The equipment here is made specifically for seniors, he added.”

His experience reflects the concerns of many older residents who find standard fitness facilities unsuitable. 

“I feel my coordination has improved,” Wan said. He used to to exercise at home by follow workout videos at home, but now comes to the gym every day. He added that the fees are kept affordably low.

Since its soft launch, the gym has received more than 20 senior visiotrs per day on average, with peak attendance exceeding 40, according to Ma Liya, the facility’s operations manager. Some seniors even travel by bus specifically to work out there.

Ma noted that before becoming members, older adults undergo physical assessments and surveys covering exercise habits, health conditions, and lifestyles. Based on the results, customized health profiles and targeted exercise plans are developed. Ma highlighted adaptations like dual-height handrails and reduced-speed treadmills, contrasting them with standard models challenging for seniors to operate.

The facility also features an intelligent full-body recumbent trainer with coordinated arm-leg movement, allowing even hemiplegic users to exercise effectively. Another device, a passive hand exerciser, is designed for seniors with reduced finger mobility after stroke, using passive oscillation to stimulate blood circulation.

Safety protocols include continuous heart rate monitoring via armbands linked to a central display, triggering alerts if thresholds are exceeded. Pre-workout blood pressure and heart rate checks are mandatory.

“The core mission is straightforward: provide seniors a dedicated space to exercise safely and effectively,” said Xin Lin, publicity chief of Lijia community.

Beyond fitness, the gym has also become a social space. After exercising, seniors often stay for tea, health lectures, and cultural activities, Xin added.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

The recently concluded Spring Festival holiday offered more than just festive cheer. Record-breaking figures — including over 2.6 billion inter-regional trips, a surge of foreign visitors experiencing the Chinese New Year, and a Spring Festival box office exceeding 5.5 billion yuan (about $700 million) — provide a revealing snapshot of China’s economic resilience, innovative vitality, and cultural appeal. 

This lively celebration, linking past traditions with the future and connecting China globally, painted a picture of shared harmony across borders.

Marking the longest such holiday on record, extended to nine days from the usual seven, this year’s festivities highlighted the sustained vibrancy of China’s consumer market. Robust consumption was evident across diverse activities: festive shopping, family reunions, cultural travel, smart home upgrades, bustling city malls, and lively country markets. Together, these scenes illustrate a consumer market undergoing steady transformation.

A February 23rd WeChat data report confirmed this trend, showing offline transactions in travel and entertainment both rising by more than 20 percent year-on-year. Commercial districts nationwide enhanced visitor experiences. For example, Jinling Changlefang, an immersive cultural space themed on the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu province, offered immersive, theatrical-style consumption, while more than 30 temple fairs and lantern fairs,   including Beijing’s Changdian Temple Fair, enlivened major shopping areas.

Demand for premium travel experiences continued to thrive, with long-haul trips, in-depth tours and customized itineraries gaining traction. At the same time, intra-provincial getaways, short-distance excursions and urban micro-vacations remained popular, fueling the sustained and healthy expansion of the consumer market.

International media noted that Chinese citizens maximized the extended holiday setting multiple records in travel, leisure and spending. As one report noted, the Spring Festival has evolved beyond a traditional celebration into a catalyst capable of energizing the global economy.

Technology was a defining feature this year, adding a futuristic flair. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, humanoid robots stole the spotlight at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, delivering a human-robot martial arts performance that left international media in awe. 

“China is already showcasing real robots,” one outlet noted, marveling at how far the technology has come in just one year — from executing backflips to deftly handling nunchaku. The dazzling display underscored the steady breakthroughs Chinese companies are making in core robotics technologies.

The use of large AI models surged during this year’s Spring Festival holiday. From Chinese New Year’s Eve to the third day of the Chinese New Year, total interactions topped 10 billion. 

The blend of cutting-edge technology and time-honored traditions added a unique warmth to the festivities, offering a vivid glimpse of how innovation is increasingly serving people’s lives.

Chinese robots made their debut at the United Nations headquarters in New York, captivating visitors as they wrote the character “fu” (blessing) and engaged in playful interactions. In Sydney, immersive holographic digital displays at DigiPark offered dazzling new ways to experience Chinese culture. Meanwhile, virtual reality-based programs from China drew eager crowds in Amman, Jordan. People around the world are embracing China’s rapidly evolving technology and the dynamic future it represents.

The Spring Festival is not only China’s premier time for family reunions but is increasingly becoming a global travel season. As China’s visa-free policies continue to expand, celebrating the Chinese New Year in China has become a growing trend among international visitors. 

China’s National Immigration Administration projected that average daily cross-border trips during the holiday would exceed 2.05 million, up 14.1 percent year on year. 

U.S. magazine Global Traveler recently observed that more foreign tourists are shifting from traditional sightseeing to immersive cultural experiences, seeking deeper connections with China’s rich cultural heritage.

Data from Chinese travel platform Qunar showed a 20-percent year-on-year increase in domestic flight bookings made with non-Chinese passports, with international visitors traveling to 107 cities across China. 

From immersive cultural experiences to practical perks like departure tax refunds, foreign tourists are discovering both the richness of Chinese traditions and the convenience of traveler-friendly policies. More than just “traveling in China,” they are now “shopping in China” — gaining a firsthand appreciation of a country that is warm, open and inclusive.

As spring returns and all things renew, the holiday has reflected a China vibrant and confident in its forward momentum. The consumption potential of the vast Chinese market, the opportunities created by continued opening up, and the powerful momentum driven by technological innovation together form the foundation for China’s steady and long-term economic growth. A confident China will continue to move forward hand in hand with the world toward a brighter shared future.