From Payments to Transport: Convenience Services for Foreign Tourists in China Keep Improving
Mobile payments, online reservations, digital departure tax refunds, multilingual guides... Convenience services covering dining, accommodation, transport, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment for foreign visitors are constantly being upgraded, making travel to China more worry-free.
Visas let travelers "get in", while facilitation services let them "travel smoothly". In recent years, a series of thoughtful measures have been introduced covering every aspect of foreign tourists' stay in China, including dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment.
Payment: One Mobile Phone to Travel Across China
Payment used to be the first hurdle foreign tourists encountered in China. AsBinding foreign cards to domestic apps""Using foreign wallets domestically" and other measures have been advanced, allowing overseas bank cards and e-wallets to be used more smoothly within China, and QR code payments are becoming increasingly common in business districts, scenic areas, restaurants, and other settings. In 2025, the scale of consumption by inbound tourists through mobile payments was already considerable, and the payment experience has improved markedly.
Reservations: Online access to attractions and museums is more convenient
More and more museums and scenic areas have improved their online reservation services for overseas visitors, supporting reservations made with commonly used foreign documents, reducing the hassle of on-site queuing, and making visit arrangements for popular venues more relaxed.
Tax Refunds: Digital Acceleration
Departure tax refunds are moving "online," with procedures further streamlined. Combined with the nationwide rollout of "buy now, refund now," overseas travelers enjoy a smoother tax refund experience.
Services: Multilingual and Smart
- Compiledmultilingual inbound travel guidesto help travelers access practical information;
- Pilot an "AI City Travel Card" in selected cities, integrating tour guide, translation, transportation, and discount functions;
- Build "Inbound Traveler Facilitation Comprehensive Service Centers" at major aviation ports to provide one-stop consultation and services.
Travel Tips
For foreign travelers planning to visit China, it is advisable to learn in advance about the destination's payment methods, reservation rules, and tax refund procedures; carry a valid passport and other identification documents, and arrange your itinerary and transportation connections sensibly. As facilitation services continue to improve, "a spontaneous trip to China" is becoming easier and easier.