这些城市，正在大赚老外的“周末钱”

Group 1 - The number of foreign tourists entering China without a visa is expected to significantly increase by the end of Q3 2025, enhancing the international influence of cities and boosting tourism foreign exchange revenue [1] - South Korean tourists are a major highlight, with cities like Shanghai, Qingdao, and Zhangjiajie seeing a surge in visitors. Kunming is also popular among South Asian and Southeast Asian tourists, nearing its 2024 annual visitor levels by Q3 2025 [1] - Cities aim to become both the top entry point for foreign tourists and the leading destination for inbound consumption [1] Group 2 - Since the implementation of the visa exemption policy for South Korean passport holders in November 2024, the number of South Korean tourists in Shanghai has surged, with over 446,000 overnight visitors recorded in 2024 [2] - By the end of September 2025, the total number of South Korean tourists in Shanghai reached 619,800, marking a year-on-year increase of 121.09%, solidifying its position as the top source country for inbound tourism [2] - Factors contributing to Shanghai's appeal include the visa exemption policy, low travel costs (approximately 700 yuan for a one-way ticket), and convenient transportation (2-hour flight) [2] Group 3 - It is anticipated that South Korea will continue to be the top source of inbound tourists to Shanghai by the end of 2025, positively impacting the weekend and holiday economy [3] - Qingdao, which previously attracted many South Korean tourists, is now facing pressure as its visitor numbers are lower than Shanghai's, with over 360,000 South Korean visitors recorded since the visa exemption policy began [3] - Qingdao's ability to attract more South Korean tourists for weekend trips will be crucial for its economic growth [3] Group 4 - Kunming aims to become the "first city for inbound consumption" from South Asia and Southeast Asia, with Thailand and Malaysia being the primary source countries for visitors [6] - The city has shown strong potential to attract South Asian and Southeast Asian tourists, with over 60% of inbound visitors from these regions in 2024 [7] - To achieve its goals, Kunming must focus on increasing inbound consumption alongside visitor numbers, avoiding becoming merely a transit point [7][8] Group 5 - Other cities like Hangzhou and Chengdu are also positioning themselves to attract international tourists through events and improved services [11] - Hangzhou aims to become a "city of conferences," ranking 140th globally for international meetings, while Chengdu plans to enhance its appeal as a preferred destination for international visitors [11] - The overall trend indicates significant potential for growth in the number of foreign tourists entering China via air travel, presenting opportunities for cities to capitalize on weekend inbound tourism [12]