Why the Surge of Foreigners in Shanghai's Streets?
Lately, the streets of Shanghai are teeming with a noticeable influx of international visitors. The catalyst? A game-changing visa policy that now allows travelers to linger for 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, up from the previous 72 or 144 hours.
What's the New Visa-Free Policy All About?
The updated policy isn't just about extending stays; it's about freedom. Foreigners can now roam across 24 provinces (districts, cities), exiting from any of the 60 open ports.
The newly expanded and refined 240-hour transit visa-free policy has significantly increased the range of permissible activities and the areas where visitors can stay. Building on the previous list of 19 provinces (including autonomous regions and municipalities) such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Shaanxi, the policy now extends to five more provinces: Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, and Guizhou. This brings the total number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) covered by the policy to 24.
From January to November 2024, the number of foreign arrivals at China's ports of entry skyrocketed to 29.218 million, an impressive 86.2% surge year-over-year. Among these, a whopping 17.446 million visitors took advantage of the visa-free transit policy, marking a staggering 123.3% increase. This year, in particular, the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption has been a hit both at home and abroad, with the number of foreigners coming to China under this policy jumping by a colossal 132.9%.
This flexibility is a game-changer for itinerary planning and offers a deeper dive into China's vast culture.
How Does the Visa-Free Transit Work?
Eligible visitors from 54 countries can take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit. The requirements are simple:
- A valid travel document
- An onward ticket within 240 hours
- And compliance with border checks.
Where Are Foreigners Choosing to Go?
Shanghai is the top choice, with over 4 million foreign arrivals this year. From Korean tourists snapping photos with cooling patches at a local eatery to late-night hot pot sessions at Haidilao, the city is buzzing with international flair.
Shanghai's culinary delights are drawing in hordes of South Korean tourists, with a particular fascination for the city's unique cooling patches. A lamb skewer shop on Nanjing Road has quickly become a hot spot for Koreans to check in. Besides the delectable lamb skewers, the store's cooling patches, offered to help tourists beat the heat, have become a favorite among South Korean visitors – "They love posing with them for photos," says the shop owner.
A similar scene is unfolding at the Haidilao hot pot restaurant in Shanghai's People's Square. Store manager Hu Xiaozheng reports that the branch averages about 15% of its daily customers from South Korea, with numbers spiking on weekends to about a third. Particularly after 10 PM, more than half of the patrons in the restaurant are South Korean.
At the iconic First Food Store, Zhang Zhen, a clerk at the "Shanghai Gifts" counter, has noticed a growing trend. Here, where butterfly crisps and White Rabbit Creamy Candy are displayed alongside eco-friendly tote bags and other cultural trinkets, South Korean tourists are often seen grabbing a couple of "Shanghai Gifts" bags to take back with them. Others are drawn to the store's array of creative gifts, engaging in spirited conversations before leaving with a few select souvenirs.
However, hitting up the same old tourist spots is a bit too predictable, don't you think? Beyond the Huangpu River and the Oriental Pearl Tower, are there any unique corners to explore? Apart from the famous Soup Dumplings (known as "Guàn tāng bāo," a delicate Chinese snack with a surprise inside - each contains a savory broth that bursts out with a bite), or Chinese Mustard Green Cake ("Méi gān cài bǐng", a crispy, flatbread filled with seasoned dried mustard greens, offering a tasty mix of earthiness and crunch), what other local delicacies are yet to be discovered by international tourists? Ever wish you had someone to show you the most distinctive and quirky hotspots? Tired of that touristy vibe and want to hang where the young locals of Shanghai do? How about a buddy who's not only a pro at having fun but also speaks fluent English to take you for a unique city walk or drive-around?
Stay tuned for the next post on #ChinaTravels #ChinaTrips from Permitly, where we'll reveal the hidden treasures that tour guides might overlook and locals might not even know about, giving your social media feed that envious buzz among your peers!
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