State broadcaster CCTV reported on 23 February 2026 that China’s expanded roster of visa-free countries, combined with upgraded instant tax-refund technology, produced a boom in inbound tourism spending over the nine-day Lunar New Year break. Nanjing airport alone processed 7.6 million cross-border passengers, including more than 5,000 Canadians and Britons taking advantage of the brand-new visa waiver launched a week earlier. Traditional sites such as Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors operated at full capacity, while duty-free retailers in Shanghai piloted a ‘buy-and-refund-on-the-spot’ system that delivers cash or digital rebates in under ten minutes. Customs officials said the Pudong Airport self-service kiosks handled 2,300 refund claims worth RMB 3.37 million between Lunar New Year’s Eve and the fourth day of the holiday — a 60 % increase on 2025. The synergy between easier entry and frictionless payments is reshaping visitor behaviour. Tourists are venturing beyond China’s tier-one cities to experience immersive cultural activities, from Tai Chi classes in Beijing’s parks to folk-opera tea sessions in Xiamen. Travel platforms note a 35 % rise in multi-city itineraries booked by first-time visitors, indicating growing confidence in domestic transport links and mobile-payment acceptance. For businesses, the influx translates into stronger footfall at hotels, F&B outlets and retail complexes that cater to foreign clientele. Luxury brand managers in Shanghai reported that same-store sales to overseas shoppers doubled year-on-year during the festival, aided by real-time currency conversion at the point of sale. Looking forward, analysts believe the holiday provides a test case for China’s wider ambition to hit 100 million foreign arrivals annually by 2027. Key to sustaining momentum will be the rollout of English-language digital arrival cards nationwide and further expansion of ‘immediate tax-refund’ pilot stores to inland provinces.
Source: CCTV News
