Shanghai launches new visitor services for Summer 2026

Shanghai has launched the ‘Shanghai Summer 2026’ international consumption season, running from July to October. The initiative introduces various visitor-focused products and services designed to improve the experience for international travelers, focusing on payment, transportation, and hospitality.

Visa, a global strategic partner, is expanding its contactless ‘Tap to Pay’ network across the city for dining, transport, and shopping. Data from Visa indicates that in the first quarter of 2026, offline card spending by international visitors in Shanghai rose by more than 50% year-on-year, with transaction volumes increasing by over 60%.

China UnionPay is supporting visitors through the Nihao China App, which integrates payments, navigation, real-time translation, and transportation services. The app allows users to top up using international Visa or Mastercard accounts to pay via QR codes at over 100,000 locations. Additionally, the Bank of China Shanghai Branch has introduced an upgraded Tax Refund 2.0 programme, expanding refund services to hotels, supermarkets, and attractions through self-service machines and integrated POS functions.