#China #Shanghai #Digital Platform #Easy Go

Shanghai's Easy Go: Revolutionizing Travel for International Visitors

On July 2, 2025, Shanghai proudly introduced 'Easy Go', an innovative digital platform designed to cater specifically to international travelers. Developed to streamline the travel experience, this platform combines various services aimed at making it easier for visitors to explore the vibrant city of Shanghai, thereby promoting the growth of inbound tourism and consumption.

A Comprehensive Solution for Travelers

Gone are the days of juggling multiple apps while trying to navigate a new city. Easy Go consolidates essential services into one user-friendly interface, allowing users to book hotels, purchase metro tickets, and discover must-try local cuisine—all in one place. Operating through a familiar platform, Alipay, the application also offers real-time translation services, available in 14 languages, ensuring that global tourists can access information and assistance without language barriers.

With Easy Go, a simple registration grants travelers access to a plethora of services including:

• - Food Delivery: Quickly order from local restaurants and have food delivered directly to your location.
• - Public Transport: Effortlessly book and manage public transportation, including metro and bus services.
• - Ride-Hailing: Easily request rides across the city through partnered services.
• - Attraction Information: Find detailed information on local attractions and book tickets seamlessly.
• - Shopping: Enjoy instant tax refunds on eligible purchases.

The platform has integrated the first batch of 30 mini-programs from 24 different companies, covering a wide array of services that further enrich the visitor experience.

Impact on Inbound Tourism

This digital initiative is part of Shanghai's ongoing efforts to enhance its attractiveness as a tourist destination. During the last summer's Shanghai Summer initiative, the city saw a remarkable 42.2 percent year-on-year increase in overseas visitors. Notably, foreign currency consumption experienced a staggering growth of 68.2 percent during the same period.

The positive outcome from the 2024 initiative has fueled Shanghai's ambition to foster inbound tourism further. According to recent reports, the city welcomed over 4.24 million inbound tourists in the first half of 2025, marking an impressive growth of 38.5 percent compared to the previous year. Additionally, the sales of goods eligible for tax refunds saw an impressive spike of 85 percent, with a dramatic increase of 28.1 times for tax refund-upon-purchase goods.

A Vision for the Future

With Easy Go, the city of Shanghai is not just looking to simplify travel; it is setting a precedent for how digital technology can foster a robust tourism economy. This initiative embodies a strategic move to position Shanghai as the go-to destination for international travelers, ensuring that their experiences from arrival to departure are seamless and enjoyable.

As we embark on this new chapter in travel and tourism, 'Easy Go' stands as a beacon of innovation—promising to deliver convenience, efficiency, and local charm, all while helping visitors savor the rich and dynamic culture that Shanghai has to offer.

In conclusion, as travelers gear up to explore this iconic city, the Easy Go platform is set to redefine how visitors interact with the multitude of services available, ushering in a new era of convenience and satisfaction for tourists exploring the wonders of Shanghai.