Published on: 2026-10-30
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Lately, a new trend called “China Haul” has been gaining popularity on foreign social networks: foreign bloggers post “unboxing videos” of purchases made in China and share their impressions of the acquired goods.
The popularity of this trend is no coincidence: it has become a continuation of a whole chain of viral trends, such as “ChinaCool” (cool and trendy China), which emerged this summer amid foreigners traveling to China for summer vacations, as well as “Chinamaxxing” (maximum sinicization), reflecting the youth’s desire to immerse themselves in the Chinese lifestyle. It can be said that “China Haul” is a new term that naturally arose against the backdrop of widespread enthusiasm abroad for the Chinese way of life.
Inbound tourism has recently been experiencing a new peak in activity. During the holidays dedicated to the founding of the PRC, 682 thousand foreigners visited the country, of whom 505 thousand entered under the visa-free regime, which is 5.4% and 9.2% more than in the same period last year. As the scope of the visa-free regime expands and the processes of tax payment and refund are constantly optimized, the popularity of “China Travel” (traveling within China) continues to gain momentum.
What do foreign tourists prefer to buy?
Three categories of goods are the most popular. First of all, these are fashionable technological novelties such as drones, action cameras, smartphones with foldable screens, glasses with artificial intelligence, and so on. These products have both price and functional advantages. The second category is Chinese health products, such as loquat syrup, goji berry drinks, moxibustion kits… Many bloggers call them “Eastern miracle remedies.” The third category is local fashionable products, including trendy clothing, shoes, and bags from original Chinese designer brands, as well as national hanfu clothing, qipao dresses, Chinese cosmetics, and artistic porcelain.
Suitcases are packed not only with Chinese goods but also with the Chinese way of life. In the quest to shop as efficiently as possible, many tourists have learned to order goods online with direct delivery to hotel doors, and before leaving, they consolidate all their purchases into one package. The most “experienced” among them no longer bring large suitcases but immediately place orders with international delivery.
Recently, during a series of thematic press conferences titled “The Beginning and Start of the 15th Five-Year Plan,” organized by the Press Office of the State Council of China, it was noted that China has become the largest source of tourists and one of the main tourist destinations in the world. Within the framework of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” the inbound tourism service system in China will be continuously improved: all aspects will be enhanced, including visa processing, payment systems, tax refunds, guided tours, accommodation, and transportation, as well as an increasing number of tourism products combining tradition and modernity.
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