Shenzhen's emergence as a hot spot for tech tourism was evident on a Saturday evening around 8:30 p.m., when Han Qiaolong found himself surrounded by overseas shoppers in his small shop on the second floor of the sprawling HQ-Mart in Huaqiangbei, China’s No. 1 electronics street.

The influx of tourists from Spain, who had only been in the city for two hours, prompted him to spring into action with an iFLYTEK multi-language translation device. Han noted that the iFLYTEK translator allows him to communicate with international tourists who do not speak Chinese.

“Nowadays, you can’t function without this, especially given the noticeable rise in the number of international shoppers,” he said, emphasizing that Huaqiangbei has become a must-visit location for tourists.

“In this tech hub, shopping for electronic devices is something as fun and rewarding to do as sightseeing,” said Alba Fernández, from Spain.

International tourists shop at HQ-Mart in Huaqiangbei on Aug. 10. Liu Minxia

Influx of intl. tourists

Thanks to China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy and a surge in international flights, Shenzhen has become a popular destination for tourists from around the world.

Official data reveal that from January to June this year, more than 2.39 million crossings by international tourists were recorded at the city’s checkpoints, an impressive surge of 145.5% compared to the same period last year.

Furthermore, roughly 50,000 international tourists in tour groups headed to Guangdong via Hong Kong and Macao for a 144-hour visa-free visit during the first half of this year, with 10,000 travelers passing through Shenzhen’s airport and Shekou.

Shenzhen’s allure is also increasing on overseas social platforms. Last month, Shenzhen ranked as the fourth most popular city by view count among YouTube videos tagged with #ChinaTravel. International tourists have also been flooding the internet with videos documenting their experiences in Shenzhen, and they have garnered significant attention.

A vlogger known as “Time Walker” garnered an impressive 860,000 views with a travel vlog about Shenzhen. Additionally, a British travel vlogger couple, known as “Sun Kissed Bucket List,” uploaded multiple videos chronicling their adventures in Shenzhen, collectively amassing over 500,000 views.

Xu Di, regional director of Japanese cruise company Peace Boat, said Shenzhen is a modern international tech hub enhanced by convenient mobile payment systems, making it highly appealing to global tourists.

Xia Chunyi, managing director of JLL Shenzhen, pointed out that Shenzhen’s advanced transportation network, which includes high-speed trains and the new Shenzhong Link, is positioning Shenzhen as the primary destination for overseas business professionals and tourists entering the mainland.

A report from the People’s Bank of China’s Shenzhen branch indicates that in the first six months of this year, non-cash transactions by foreign nationals in Shenzhen totaled 8.7 billion yuan, a 100% increase year on year.

Consumer appeal

Driving this impressive spending by international visitors is a diverse range of payment methods and the ability to use credit and debit cards from other countries in Shenzhen. According to the local commerce bureau, nearly 38,000 Shenzhen merchants now accept non-Chinese bank cards, a 31% increase from the beginning of the year. In the first half of the year, Shenzhen saw 490,000 transactions made with non-Chinese bank cards, a 93% year-on-year increase.

In a bid to build itself into an international consumer center, Shenzhen is intensifying efforts to enrich its premium consumer landscape and enhance payment experiences for overseas guests.

According to Winshang, an industry data provider, 170 “first stores” were launched in Shenzhen’s major malls during the first half of 2024, a notable 40% increase from the same period in 2023. Among these openings, 25 were the first in the country and 50 in South China, underscoring Shenzhen’s growing prominence as a global shopping hub.

By leveraging its manufacturing sector, Shenzhen is cultivating a distinct consumer image that mirrors its technological innovation prowess. Renowned for manufacturing fashion items like gold, watches, clothing, eyewear, and consumer electronics, the city boasts key shopping districts such as Shuibei for gold jewelry, Guangming for watches, Dalang for clothing, Henggang for eyewear, and Huaqiangbei for consumer electronics.

Additionally, the city offers tech-infused consumer experiences that captivate inbound tourists. From having food delivered by drones at Shenzhen Talent Park to riding robotaxis in Pingshan District, international visitors are experiencing novel technology. Iconic locations like the “Eye of Shenzhen” station — Shenzhen Metro’s Gangxia North Station — have become popular attractions that showcase the city’s rapid technological strides.