During the first half of the year, Shanghai experienced a 28 percent increase in international visitors compared to the previous year, primarily from South Korea, Russia, the United States, Thailand, and Malaysia.
According to recent data from the city’s Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai hosted 5.31 million inbound tourists in the six months ending June 30. Notably, those staying overnight increased by 31 percent to reach 5.02 million.
Inbound travelers from South Korea numbered over 515,000, while arrivals from Russia surged by 132 percent to approximately 356,000. Long-distance markets in Europe and North America maintained consistent growth rates exceeding 30 percent, reflecting a diverse international tourism scene.
In terms of local transportation, about 1.28 million foreign passport holders utilized public transit in Shanghai during the first half of the year—up 32 percent from the previous year. Monthly data from January through June show passenger numbers increasing by more than 24 percent annually, indicating a rising trend in urban travel among visitors.
Among the 744,000 cruise passengers entering and leaving China in the first half of the year, foreign arrivals climbed 38 percent to over 51,000, with more than 81 percent benefiting from various visa exemption policies. Additionally, travel agencies in Shanghai served 20 percent more inbound tourists, totaling 155,300 during this period.
Shanghai’s role as a key international gateway and its reputation as the “first stop for inbound tourism in China” continued to strengthen. The overall number of tourists visiting the city rose 18 percent to reach 313 million.
Tourist spending on cultural and tourism activities in Shanghai increased by 8.8 percent, reaching CNY543.3 billion (approximately $80.5 billion). The city hosted 18,513 commercial performances, generated box office revenue of CNY923 million (around $140 million), and offered visitors a wealth of cultural experiences.