Published on: 2026-09-11
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Beijing, September 11 /Xinhua/ — Leaving home without a phone, internet access, or familiar apps, a person would probably feel anxiety due to lack of connection — the so-called nomophobia. This is especially relevant during trips or travel abroad. However, for foreigners visiting China, digital technology helps to overcome this feeling.
At the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2026, held from September 9 to 13 in Beijing, a whole range of digital solutions is presented. These solutions continually enhance the experience of foreign tourists traveling in China, whether visiting iconic landmarks or immersing themselves in the Chinese way of life.
As noted in the report published at the World Conference on Cooperation and Development in Tourism as part of CIFTIS, among 100 surveyed cities worldwide, Beijing ranked second in terms of “smartness,” demonstrating practical achievements in improving the quality of tourism services through digital technologies.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Foreign visitors to the current fair can not only arrange a VAT refund and receive money immediately after shopping in several exhibition areas, but also complete the entire tax refund procedure themselves when leaving the Middle Kingdom using self-service terminals installed on the event grounds.
At the self-service terminal for tax refunds, you need to complete only three steps to generate an electronic certificate, and then present it along with your purchase receipts at the nearest customs inspection device — the tax refund will take just a few minutes.
Earlier this year, China announced a set of measures aimed at further optimizing the procedures for tax refunds upon departure from the country and expanding inbound consumption. These specific measures include expanding coverage by the tax refund system, transitioning to a selective control system for small amounts, improving tax refund services immediately after purchase, and digitizing the relevant operations.
In the first half of 2026, Bank of China processed 316,200 VAT refund transactions upon departure from the country, which is 408.94 percent more than in the same period last year. The volume of sales for which the tax refund was made amounted to 2.977 billion yuan, an increase of 76.58 percent year-on-year, according to information posted on the financial institution’s website.
DIGITAL PLATFORMS
At the aforementioned conference, an English-language platform for intelligent tourism services called “China Bound · Beijing” was also presented. The platform, consisting of 9 sections, including a pre-trip guide, attractions, shopping, restaurants, and hotels, systematically showcases the resources of the Chinese capital in the field of inbound tourism, facilitating foreign guests’ acquaintance with the city.
On the platform, foreign tourists can interact with an AI-based assistant in the form of a large panda named “Kuki,” using services such as route planning, information search, virtual guide, and intelligent question-and-answer dialogues.
In April this year, the universal service platform GO BEIJING was launched — a mini-program embedded in the Alipay mobile application. It provides real-time switching between 16 languages, including English, Russian, Korean, and Arabic, and covers a wide range of everyday services for foreign guests.
“When I order Peking duck at a restaurant, I just need to touch my phone to the sticker with an NFC chip /near field communication chip/, and the menu in English immediately appears. I can place my order and pay right away – it saves time and is very convenient,” says Serbian tourist Elena.
As digital marketing and services continue to reduce information asymmetry, and online booking and multilingual digital services significantly overcome barriers to international travel, foreign tourists increasingly venture beyond tourist zones and immerse themselves in the daily life of the Chinese.
Foreign guests of the Chinese capital can join locals for morning exercise in parks, stroll through traditional alleys, visit industrial parks and enterprises, use traditional Chinese medicine services, and also enjoy water activities. Many of them even come with a special wish list: custom-made clothing, haircuts, and prescription glasses fitting.
According to many tour operators, high-tech elements integrated into everyday life – such as assistant robots in hotels and the creation of digital copies of cultural relics in museums using modern technologies – have become a new highlight attracting foreign tourists.
HEALTH TOURISM
As travel within China continues to gain popularity, inbound wellness tourism is becoming a new vibrant trend in the service consumption sector. Some tourists combine treatment with their trip, while others come specifically to China to utilize medical services.
The Siyuan Hospital affiliated with the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, located in Beijing, receives more than 5,000 overseas patients annually, and their number has been steadily increasing over the past three years. Most of these patients come from countries such as Kyrgyzstan, the United States, and Canada.
Relying on strengths in certain specialized areas, the international medical service department of the hospital receives a large number of foreign patients with common diseases of elderly people, particularly cardiovascular diseases, said Jia Guanchun, head of the hospital’s international cooperation and exchange department, at the ongoing fair. She added that many patients, having learned about the hospital on its official website, independently seek out this medical institution in search of affordable and unique treatments through traditional Chinese medicine.
According to her, doctors develop individual treatment plans taking into account the characteristics of foreign patients, using methods such as decoctions, acupuncture, cupping, and moxa therapy.
At the same time, in the resort city of Sanya, located in Hainan Province in southern China, there is an increase in the number of foreign tourists seeking medical services and assistance during their travels.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Sanya and its affiliated sanatorium received more than 8,000 foreign patients in the first half of the current year. 80 percent of them were Russian citizens, said Zarema Fazylova, manager of the hospital’s international department, at the current fair’s booth.
She noted that many foreign patients come to the hospital for treatment of ischemic heart disease, joint pain, and other ailments, with acupuncture and “tuina” massage being the most popular therapy methods. Currently, more and more foreigners are seeking acupuncture services here for cosmetic purposes and weight loss, the Russian woman added.
According to the hospital’s report, a remote diagnosis and treatment platform supported by artificial intelligence has also been created, with services covering countries such as Kazakhstan, France, Canada, and the island nation of Cape Verde. Thanks to real-time pulse data transmission technologies and remote assessment of body composition and physical status, doctors can provide treatment recommendations to patients located far away.
According to official statistics, by the end of 2025, China recorded more than 150 million inbound trips among foreigners, which is 17 percent more than in 2024, and the spending of these tourists exceeded 130 billion US dollars. Moreover, the number of visa-free inbound trips among foreigners in China last year exceeded 30 million.
Data also showed that in the first half of 2026, inbound tourist flow to Beijing amounted to 3.273 million person-visits, which is 32.6% more than the previous year, while spending by tourists entering China reached 4.47 billion USD, increasing by 39.8% year-on-year.
Inbound tourism in China is expected to maintain double-digit growth in 2026, with the volume of the tourist market oriented towards foreigners continuing to grow at a faster pace, forecasts Dai Bing, director of the China Academy of Tourism.
At the opening ceremony of the aforementioned conference, Ben Montgomery, Deputy Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association, stated that technology can make travel efficient and accessible, but on its own, it is incapable of filling it with rich experiences and excellent tourism. She emphasized that the true value of the tourism industry lies in establishing human connections: bringing guests closer to local communities, building bridges between cultures, and forming mutual understanding that goes beyond national borders.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.