Nihao China: everything for a comfortable journey in China in one app
Modern technologies are transforming the way people travel, making everyday tasks simpler and more convenient. For international visitors, a smooth travel experience depends not only on exploring new destinations but also on having easy access to practical services, from payments to tourism-related assistance.
China continues to improve payment options for foreign tourists in order to enhance their travel experience and unlock the potential of inbound tourism. One of the latest developments is the Nihao China app, launched by UnionPay specifically for international travelers.
The app allows users to link overseas bank cards and make payments through QR codes in China. It covers a wide range of daily spending scenarios, including shopping, dining, transportation and cultural tourism services.
The app is now used in more than 160 countries and regions. One of its key features is a multilingual artificial intelligence assistant, which helps foreign visitors complete registration, link their cards and use mobile payment services without language barriers.
"I registered my bank card in this app before arriving in China. All instructions are provided through artificial intelligence. It helps me register and link my card. Everything goes very smoothly, simply and easily. To pay for today's purchases, I just open the app and scan the QR code. I don't need to carry a physical bank card or cash, which I often lose. It is very convenient," said a tourist from Greece.
According to Peng Wei, senior director of UnionPay's international business division, Nihao China goes beyond basic payment functions. The app also provides services such as currency conversion and tax refunds, offering foreign tourists a comprehensive payment and travel service experience in China.
Alongside the development of digital payments, offline payment infrastructure is also being upgraded. This summer, payment terminals in Shanghai's major shopping areas, tourist attractions, hotels and large supermarkets are undergoing modernization. The upgraded devices provide faster processing, more stable transactions and support direct payments with most overseas-issued bank cards.
"The biggest impression since arriving in China is the convenience of making payments. Before, I had to carry a lot of cash and exchange yuan. Now I only need to tap my card on a terminal. I no longer worry about carrying cash. It is very impressive," said a tourist from Brazil.
The combination of online and offline payment options continues to improve the travel experience for foreign visitors in China. Digital solutions are making trips easier and helping international tourists enjoy a more comfortable stay.
Data shows that during the summer holiday period, spending by foreign tourists through Alipay reached a record level, with transaction volume increasing by 59.2 percent year on year and total spending rising by 72.9 percent.
As reported by CCTV+, the development of digital payment services has become an important part of improving China's tourism infrastructure, helping international visitors enjoy a more convenient and seamless travel experience.
