Chengdu welcomes more overseas tourists with its relaxing vibes, visa-free entry

The capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province Chengdu, famous for its laid back lifestyle and spicy food, has been attracting an increasing number of overseas tourists who are taking advantage of a 144-hour visa-free transit policy introduced this year.

The policy allows overseas travelers from 54 countries to stay in Chengdu for up to six days for tourism or business visits, as long as they hold an onward ticket to an overseas destination.

Filip Koubszwski from Poland has been living in Chengdu for nearly a decade, and says he would recommend it highly to anyone looking for good food and a relaxed time. He says overseas visitors should not be deterred by the local food’s fiery reputation.

"About spicing in Chengdu, like these, they all look very hot and spicy, but they are not really. In Chengdu is more about numb," he said.

"I like how Chengdu people approach life here. Whatever happens, it just happens here, you just accept it and you just go with the flow," he added.

The Sichuan Border Inspection Office says that since the introduction of the visa-free entry policy, the number of foreign travelers entering Chengdu has been increasing. From January to August 2024, approximately 286,000 foreigners entered through Chengdu, with 45 percent of them entering visa-free.

"We've placed special signs on-site and assigned staff to guide travelers to the designated area for obtaining their entry and exit permits," said Wang Bingxi, a Sichuan Border Inspection Officer.

China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced in mid-July that the country's 144-hour visa-free transit policy was being expanded to three more entry ports, taking the number of ports covered by the policy to 37.

The three new ports included Zhengzhou Airport in Henan Province and an airport and a railway port in the country's southwestern province of Yunnan, the administration said in a statement.

Chengdu welcomes more overseas tourists with its relaxing vibes, visa-free entry

Chengdu welcomes more overseas tourists with its relaxed vibes and visa-free entry

As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.

This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.

A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.

"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.

The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.

Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.

Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.

To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.

Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.

Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'