Hassle-free guide to Shanghai Summer Intl Consumption Season

The 2025 Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season is in full swing! But for many international visitors, planning a trip to Shanghai can come with a few concerns:

· What if I get lost and don't speak Chinese?

· Are local apps user-friendly for tourists?

· How do I order a taxi or pay for things?

· Where can I find authentic local food?

· How to get a tax refund?

Don't worry, here is an all-in-one guide, covering every step of your Shanghai journey from arrival to departure. This summer, say goodbye to travel stress and get ready for a smooth journey.

From the sky to the city:

A smooth arrival

China Eastern Airlines has added new international routes and launched a special "Shanghai Summer" zone with:

· Over 1 million discounted tickets

· 100,000 free half-day layover tours

· 100,000 customized Shanghai PASS packages that combine transport, dining, shopping and more, unlocking the city with just one card.

Spring Tour offers its "Summer in China" program with over 400 international flights weekly during summer, linking Shanghai and Northwest China's Qinghai province, giving travelers a taste of both city life and mountain scenery.

Seamless transportation

after arrival

HiChina, on the Umetrip app, provides a multilingual platform in English, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish for flight information, transport, and tax refund locations.

Amap, the mapping and local services platform under Alibaba Group, now supports 16 languages, international phone login, and international card payments. You'll find detailed local dining, entertainment, and travel services all in one app.

The DiDi ride-hailing app now comes with an English interface, supports Visa, Mastercard, Alipay, and WeChat Pay, and offers exclusive summer ride discounts.

Dazhong Transportation, a company offering taxi and car rental services, has 2,000 taxis equipped with POS machines and trilingual ride guides — your friendly driver might be just around the corner!

Eat, stay, explore —

with extra care

Dianping launched the Shanghai Must Eat List, available in Chinese, English, and Korean. Search restaurants by location, language, menus, and reviews — no more guessing when ordering!

Marriott International offers over 60 participating hotels with seasonal deals and UnionPay support, making booking and paying a breeze.

Jin Jiang International launched a bilingual food guide called Shanghai Gourmet Passport across over 200 of its hotels — combining superior accommodation with local cuisine.

Ctrip app features a "Shanghai Summer" page and free "Shanghai Express" routes, including night cruises on the Huangpu River and trendy local markets — making it easy for independent travelers to explore.

Payment made simple

UnionPay has partnered with over 10 banks to issue "Shanghai Summer" themed cards, accepted in 12 major shopping areas, 18 commercial blocks, the entire metro network, and over 100,000 merchants.

Visa has introduced convenient options such as metro tap-in/out, camera-based QR scanning, and integrated card-and-code readers — especially helpful for when shopping in smaller shops.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank sets up counters at both Pudong and Hongqiao airports for currency exchange and discount coupons.

The Shanghai Pass multi-purpose prepaid card has been upgraded, with no real-name registration needed now and multi-day passes for attractions, discounts, and transportation available.

Easy tax refunds

when you leave

Tax free stores now cover the entire downtown area and provide guides in 14 languages. Some stores even support Alipay e-refunds.

China Post provides prepackaged envelopes for fast tax validation.

Bank of China and China Construction Bank in Shanghai offer additional discounts with tax refund purchases — making your shopping even more worthwhile.

One platform

for the whole city

A new digital platform, Easy Go, combines everything:

· Quick registration with an overseas phone number

· Automatic language adaptation

· Food, transport, sightseeing, shopping, and tax refund services

· Mobile payments, route planning, coupons, and service recommendations

Think of it as your pocket-sized Shanghai guide, telling you where to go, what to buy, and how to pay. No stress, all convenience!