In 2025, global travel enthusiasm for China boomed, and Chengdu became one of the most popular destinations. Official statistics show that Chengdu border inspection checked over 1.56 million foreign visitors throughout the year, a year-on-year increase of 45.8%. Most visitors came from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, mainly for tourism, business, and family visits.
Smooth Arrival: Easy Entry & Convenient Travel
Chengdu greatly improved entry efficiency and travel convenience for international guests.
- The city operated 99 international air routes, with new direct flights to Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Cambodia.
- Foreign visitors could fill in entry cards online in advance, and customs used smart inspection to shorten waiting time.
- Chengdu became the first city in central and western China where overseas bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) could be directly used on subways and buses.
- A complete payment system was built: card payment for large amounts, mobile payment for small amounts, and cash as a backup. More than 90% of key business districts supported international card payments.
Deep Experience: Culture, Tourism & Events
Chengdu turned “passing visitors” into “staying travelers” with rich experiences.
- The 2025 World Games became a strong tourism engine. Ticket holders enjoyed discounts at major scenic spots such as Dujiangyan, Qingcheng Mountain, and Jinsha Site Museum.
- The city launched 10 premium inbound travel routes, covering panda ecology, ancient Shu culture, fashion shopping, and night tours.
- Foreign travelers loved Sichuan opera, hot pot, ancient towns, and night cruises on the Jinjiang River. Many shared their trips on social media, spreading Chengdu’s charm worldwide.
Shopping & Consumption: Duty‑Free & Tax Refund
Convenient shopping policies made visitors willing to “take Chengdu home.”
- Chengdu’s first downtown duty‑free store opened, offering international brands, Guochao (Chinese trendy brands), and cultural products like Sanxingdui and giant panda souvenirs.
- The “Buy Now, Refund Now” tax refund service moved the refund process from airports to shopping malls, greatly stimulating consumption.
- From January to October 2025, tax refund transactions increased by 253% year-on-year, driving sales up by 168%.
- Foreign visitors started a “reverse purchasing” trend: popular items included DJI drones, Xiaomi, Huawei, Sichuan brocade, lacquerware, tea, and hot pot seasonings.
Summary
In 2025, Chengdu successfully transformed from a “transit stop” to a world-class tourism and consumption destination. With convenient entry, rich cultural experiences, and consumer-friendly policies, the city continues to attract global visitors and become a shining window of China’s international tourism.
