这些城市，正在大赚老外的周末钱

Core Insights - The number of foreign tourists entering China without a visa is significantly increasing, enhancing the international influence of Chinese cities and boosting tourism foreign exchange revenue [1] - The continuous growth of South Korean tourists is a highlight, with cities like Shanghai, Qingdao, and Zhangjiajie seeing an influx of visitors [1] - Kunming is also popular among South Asian and Southeast Asian tourists, nearing its 2024 annual visitor levels by the third quarter of 2025 [1] Group 1: Shanghai's Tourism Dynamics - Since the implementation of the visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders in November 2024, the number of South Korean tourists in Shanghai has surged, making them the largest source of overnight visitors in 2024 with over 446,000 arrivals [4] - By September 2025, the total number of South Korean tourists in Shanghai reached 619,800, marking a year-on-year increase of 121.09%, solidifying their position as the top inbound tourist group [5] - Factors contributing to this growth include the visa-free policy, low travel costs (approximately 700 RMB for a one-way ticket), and convenient transportation (2-hour flight) [5] Group 2: Qingdao's Challenges - Qingdao has historically attracted South Korean tourists, with 507,900 arrivals in 2019, but recent data shows a decline compared to Shanghai, with only 360,000 arrivals by November 2025 [5] - The city faces pressure to enhance its appeal and attract more South Korean tourists for weekend trips to capitalize on the "weekend economy" [5] Group 3: Kunming's Strategic Goals - Kunming aims to become the "first city for inbound consumption" from South Asia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on enhancing consumer experiences rather than just increasing visitor numbers [7][8] - The city has a strong foundation for attracting tourists from Thailand and Malaysia, with 554,700 and 226,000 visitors respectively in 2019 [8] - As of mid-2025, Kunming's inbound tourist numbers grew by 48.8%, with South Asian and Southeast Asian tourists making up over 60% of the total [9] Group 4: Future Prospects for Other Cities - Cities like Hangzhou and Chengdu are also positioning themselves to attract international tourists through events and improved services [12] - Hangzhou ranked 140th globally for international conferences, indicating its competitive edge in attracting visitors [12] - The overall trend suggests a significant potential for growth in foreign tourist numbers entering China via air travel, driven by expanded visa-free policies and increased international flight routes [13]