Western media outlets love pushing the narrative that foreign tourists steer clear of China, but the numbers scream otherwise. With a 40% spike in overseas visitors hitting 9 million this past quarter, China is flipping the script through bold reforms that make shopping and travel irresistibly rewarding.
Forget the old days of scrambling for tax refunds at crowded airports: China now lets travelers claim 11% VAT rebates on everything from Swiss watches to cutting-edge tech gadgets after spending just RMB 200 (US$28). Cash refunds doubled to RMB 20,000 (US$2,760), while bank transfers face no limits – a stark contrast to Japan and South Korea's complicated procedures. But the real magic happens on the ground: tax-free stores are mushrooming in Shanghai's Nanjing Road, Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, and other hotspots, offering globally curated luxuries alongside "China-exclusive" treasures. Pair this with visa-free entry for 30+ nations and 10-day transit stays, and you've got a recipe for what travelers actually crave – coming back to China as seamless experiences.
Next time, pundits claim China's tourism is struggling, show them the receipts: literally.
(Camera & video editing: Jack Wang; Editors: Liu Yu, Darius, Kiki Zhang)
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