https://www.scmp.com/rss/330046/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com He Huifeng He Huifeng When Su Shaojun launched an audacious plan to build a life-size replica of the Titanic, he felt he was on to a sure-fire winner. After all, James Cameron’s iconic 1997 film had been a worldwide hit – including in China, where it had grossed over US$200 million. At a press event to unveil the project in 2014, Su invited the actor Bernard Hill – who played the captain of the Titanic in the film – to appear alongside him as he told the assembled reporters in Hong Kong that his company aimed to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349667/how-chinas-fake-titanic-sank-stone-and-became-symbol-local-excess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349667/how-chinas-fake-titanic-sank-stone-and-became-symbol-local-excess?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:11 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee Yeon Woo Lee Repeat short-haul visits by Chinese travellers to South Korea are expected to rise after Seoul eased multiple-entry visa rules, but analysts say the immediate impact may be limited because of growing competition from Southeast Asia and higher airfares linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran. The South Korean embassy in Beijing announced that Chinese nationals who had previously visited South Korea would now be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa. Those holding residency status in 14 major... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348904/south-korea-eases-chinese-travel-visas-southeast-asia-rivals-iran-war-cloud-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348904/south-korea-eases-chinese-travel-visas-southeast-asia-rivals-iran-war-cloud-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China has finished digging the underwater section of a high-speed rail tunnel stretching more than 14km (9 miles) under a busy segment of the Yangtze River, as the country increasingly turns to vast subterranean passages to expand its railway network. The tunnel beneath China’s longest waterway, which will link Shanghai’s Chongming Island with Taicang city in neighbouring Jiangsu province, is on track to be completed by the end of the year, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The project will allow... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348533/how-china-building-faster-high-speed-railways-using-vast-underwater-tunnels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348533/how-china-building-faster-high-speed-railways-using-vast-underwater-tunnels?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Flight bookings in China have grown 20 per cent year on year ahead of the annual Ching Ming Festival holiday that starts this weekend and follows public school breaks in much of the country – despite higher airfares on account of rising fuel prices. Holiday bookings had reached 2.04 million flight tickets as of Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing figures from data provider TravelSky Technology. CCTV’s Sunday report said cross-border holiday flight bookings inbound and outbound stood at... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348367/chinese-flight-bookings-rise-20-ahead-april-holiday-break-despite-soaring-airfares?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348367/chinese-flight-bookings-rise-20-ahead-april-holiday-break-despite-soaring-airfares?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s airlines are expected to add nearly 2,900 more China-Europe flights to their summer schedules compared with last year, analysts said, as the US-Israel war on Iran hands them an even greater competitive advantage over other global carriers. Unlike many Western airlines, Chinese carriers can fly directly through Russian airspace to Europe rather than taking a lengthy detour, allowing them to offer quicker flights, save on fuel and avoid sending planes over the Middle East. The number of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347994/chinas-airlines-add-2900-flights-europe-russia-access-pays-dividends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347994/chinas-airlines-add-2900-flights-europe-russia-access-pays-dividends?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian China’s luxury hotel sector has unlocked new avenues for business growth, fuelled by a boom in inbound tourism and a growing number of foreign business travellers and holidaymakers who favour high-end accommodation. International tourists generally spend more than domestic ones, except for wealthy Chinese travellers. Most visa-free visitors to China are from developed countries with much higher living costs. Even spending at their usual levels, they would generate considerable revenue for... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347704/visa-free-travel-rising-foreign-visitors-boost-luxury-hotel-growth-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347704/visa-free-travel-rising-foreign-visitors-boost-luxury-hotel-growth-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:30:08 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre The Bund – the waterfront area facing the Huangpu River – is home to some of Shanghai’s most prestigious hotels, including Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, housed in a heritage Renaissance-style structure dating back to the early 20th century. With its sweeping views of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline across the river and colonial buildings dotting its charming streets, the area is a popular place to stay, especially for first-time visitors to the city. It is also relatively close to the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3347788/waldorf-astoria-shanghai-qiantan-introduces-you-another-side-city-new-bund?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3347788/waldorf-astoria-shanghai-qiantan-introduces-you-another-side-city-new-bund?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:12 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat As China undergoes a sweeping economic transition, its regions are also in the process of embracing change. The powerhouses of yesteryear must adapt or risk falling behind, as traditional industries become less reliable growth drivers and new sectors take prominence. In this series, we explore three representative areas of the country as they attempt to navigate this rapidly changing environment. After Joyce Wu moved from Hainan province to Hong Kong in 2013, she marvelled for years at the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347581/chinas-hainan-wants-more-beach-tourism-will-new-customs-rules-cause-sea-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347581/chinas-hainan-wants-more-beach-tourism-will-new-customs-rules-cause-sea-change?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Surging jet fuel prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran are pushing global airlines including Chinese carriers to raise fares, with an industry leader warning that prices could rise by up to 9 per cent if the energy crisis continues. China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and at least two private Chinese carriers are among a growing list of global airlines that have raised fares since US-Israeli strikes on Iran started on February 28. Global airfares could rise by 8 to 9 per cent if fuel... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347330/airfares-rise-china-and-beyond-amid-gulf-oil-shock-9-increases-feared?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347330/airfares-rise-china-and-beyond-amid-gulf-oil-shock-9-increases-feared?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat,Ji Siqi Mia Nurmamat,Ji Siqi As Hainan pushes ahead with its free-trade port, the tropical island is emerging as a potential rival to Hong Kong’s long-standing role as a regional shopping and low-tax hub – even as both sides signal interest in closer cooperation. Since launching a separate customs regime three months ago, Hainan – now a gateway to the Chinese market – has positioned itself as a “super partner” to Hong Kong across industry chains, finance, tourism and other sectors, according to officials. “Hong Kong serves... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347323/chinas-hainan-free-trade-hub-reinvents-itself-hong-kongs-rival-and-partner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347323/chinas-hainan-free-trade-hub-reinvents-itself-hong-kongs-rival-and-partner?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:27:05 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang The construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway by the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century gave birth to modern-day Harbin, the northeastern Chinese city known for its annual ice festival. For a time, the city served as the railway’s construction hub and administrative centre. Though the railways have long receded in importance, Harbin is still full of Russian architectural influence. This, paired with abundant snow and ice, has transformed the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:15:16 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China announced visa-free entry for Canadian and British nationals on February 17, allowing citizens of the two countries to cross the border and stay for up to 30 days with no more than a passport. The move was just the latest expansion of China’s visa-free policies, which have eased entry rules for citizens of dozens of nations over the past few years as part of an effort to boost tourism. Immigration officials now allow travellers from dozens of countries to stay without a visa for up to 10... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu More than a million people online have been touched by a Chinese man who posted a huge note on his illiterate mother-in-law’s suitcase to help in case she needed help during her first solo flight. On February 28, the man from Xian city, northwestern China’s Shaanxi province, posted that his mother-in-law would be flying on the same evening to Dalian, in northeastern China’s Liaoning province. He said that the woman, who is in her 60s, is illiterate and does not speak Mandarin. The flight also... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346109/chinese-man-posts-big-note-mother-laws-suitcase-seek-help-her-solo-travel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346109/chinese-man-posts-big-note-mother-laws-suitcase-seek-help-her-solo-travel?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang Huizhou is a city in mainland China’s southern Guangdong province just 90 minutes from Hong Kong on the high-speed rail that offers budget-friendly stays and activities like leisurely strolls around its West Lake’s Lingnan-style pavilions. But venture out of the city and you can discover how the wider Huizhou region is quietly transforming into a “scenic sweat” destination for those seeking physical activities among picturesque surroundings infused with culture. An hour’s drive northwest leads... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345983/5-top-china-instagram-spots-huizhous-highway-218-blend-nature-and-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345983/5-top-china-instagram-spots-huizhous-highway-218-blend-nature-and-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:15:08 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Once a vital crossroads of the Silk Road, the historic oasis of Dunhuang remains a crown jewel of Gansu province in northwest China. It is home to the Mogao Caves, a Unesco-listed complex representing over a millennium of Buddhist devotion, from the Northern Liang to the Yuan dynasties. Generations of Dunhuangologists have poured over the cultural secrets woven into the elaborate murals inside the 492 preserved caves, including depictions of 4,500 musical instruments and 500 ensembles that are a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3344692/hong-kong-group-brings-ancient-silk-road-murals-musical-depictions-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3344692/hong-kong-group-brings-ancient-silk-road-murals-musical-depictions-life?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China logged an overall increase in travel during the just-concluded Chinese New Year break compared with last year’s holiday period, but analysts said spending per capita stayed flat. The country saw 596 million domestic trips over the extended public holiday that ended on Monday, a year-on-year increase of 95 million, Xinhua reported. About 17.8 million cross-border trips were logged over the same period, it added. Chinese New Year is a crucial period for the travel sector as hundreds of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344699/china-sees-rise-chinese-new-year-travel-capita-spending-remains-flat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344699/china-sees-rise-chinese-new-year-travel-capita-spending-remains-flat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:08:27 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun In the early 2000s, many Hongkongers invested in spacious houses in Zhongshan, in mainland China’s Guangdong province, for use as weekend getaways. These houses were bigger than anything buyers could have afforded at home, allowing them to feel like they owned an actual mansion. On the downside, Zhongshan was kind of boring. Outside the gated communities, there was not much to see or do, so people primarily stayed in, caught up on TV series and played mahjong. How times have changed. Cities in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Eunice Xu Eunice Xu On-demand helicopter services gained momentum during the Chinese New Year amid a travel rush, giving a boost to the country’s low-altitude economy. Demand increased significantly during the hectic holiday period, with overall bookings rising nearly 1.5 times compared with normal levels, said Li Xin, a manager at Shanghai Xinkong Helicopter, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV). Capitalising on the rush, the operator launched a new route on Monday linking Shanghai with Haimen and... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3344484/helicopter-travel-takes-china-during-spring-festival-rush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3344484/helicopter-travel-takes-china-during-spring-festival-rush?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Thailand led the list of destinations for Chinese tourists travelling overseas during this year’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, as former favourite Japan saw arrivals plummet amid a political dispute with China over Taiwan. The Southeast Asian nation saw roughly 250,000 arrivals from China during the holiday, which ran from February 15 to 23, according to the travel marketing and technology firm China Trading Desk. This year’s Lunar New Year holiday was expected to be a key period for global... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344421/chinese-tourism-japan-plunges-50-over-lunar-new-year-thailand-cashes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344421/chinese-tourism-japan-plunges-50-over-lunar-new-year-thailand-cashes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:14 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee,Alice Li Yeon Woo Lee,Alice Li For his family’s first overseas trip together, Tang Junjie carefully planned a holiday to Japan during China’s longest Lunar New Year break on record. Flights were booked months in advance by the 22-year-old from Sichuan province, who had already made three solo visits to the neighbouring country that has long been a draw for Chinese tourists. But a sudden deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations changed everything. “The original plan was to transit through Seoul on our way to Japan,” Tang said.... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344356/seoul-gains-tokyos-pain-over-lunar-new-year-politics-reshapes-chinas-tourism-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344356/seoul-gains-tokyos-pain-over-lunar-new-year-politics-reshapes-chinas-tourism-map?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:00:11 +0000 Evian Yu Evian Yu As someone who grew up in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle and spent years navigating London’s streets, I thought I understood cities. Yet nothing prepared me for Chongqing. Locals call this the “8D city”, a metropolis of overlapping levels where the ground floor of one building might simultaneously be the 10th floor of another building. After five days, I understood why. Chongqing defies conventional city planning, shaped instead by mountains and rivers. As I stepped out of Chongqing Jiangbei... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344328/how-chongqing-china-offers-enthralling-8d-experience-nothing-else?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344328/how-chongqing-china-offers-enthralling-8d-experience-nothing-else?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese travellers are outspending their Asian peers at the region’s airports in search of gifts, food and luxury purchases, a trade association has found. Passengers from China have led the recovery in Asia’s airport retail since the Covid-19 pandemic, spending twice the regional average on luxury goods, according to a study by the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East released earlier this month. China’s travellers have logged the “highest spend per passenger of any... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344297/chinese-shoppers-are-asias-biggest-airport-spenders-study-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344297/chinese-shoppers-are-asias-biggest-airport-spenders-study-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese railway giants look set to scout Eurasia in the years ahead to build high-speed train lines as the domestic market matures and some countries are more prepared than others for capital-intensive yet transformative ventures, analysts said. Inspired by China-invested projects such as the 142km (88-mile) Jakarta-Bandung high-speed line in Indonesia and the partly finished 350km (217-mile) Budapest-Belgrade railway, Chinese construction and engineering firms are expected to expand their... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344149/rail-ahead-high-speed-lines-saturate-china-how-far-can-their-global-reach-extend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344149/rail-ahead-high-speed-lines-saturate-china-how-far-can-their-global-reach-extend?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Christopher St. Cavish Christopher St. Cavish The records are clear and complete: about 300 years ago, a Huang clan from just across the Tan River got the idea to start their own village here, tucked into one of the river’s curves with Baizu mountain at its back. Hiring a feng shui master from Jiangxi province to lay it out, they built grey brick houses in a tight grid, with dragon-back or phoenix-crest ridges, surrounded by dense bamboo groves. Acres of fruit orchards were planted outside the village and a fish pond dug in front. A few... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3342496/how-taishan-learned-absorb-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3342496/how-taishan-learned-absorb-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo China is gearing up to harness the extended Lunar New Year holiday to attract more spending by international tourists, as the country looks to shake off a recent economic slowdown and pivot towards consumption-driven growth. In a rare joint initiative by nine central government departments, Beijing announced plans earlier this month to turn the holiday – which this year began on Sunday and runs through February 23 – into a “consumption feast that links regions and engages everyone”. The move... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343743/china-targets-foreign-tourists-lunar-new-year-consumption-feast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343743/china-targets-foreign-tourists-lunar-new-year-consumption-feast?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:00:10 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang China has announced visa-free entry for Canadian and British nationals, leaving the United States as the only Five Eyes nation without this privilege. The new policy takes effect on Tuesday and will remain in place until the end of the year, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Tuesday also marks the start of the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, China’s biggest annual celebration marked by large-scale travel and family reunions. Announcing the move on Sunday, the ministry said passport... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343632/china-allows-visa-free-entry-british-canadian-nationals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343632/china-allows-visa-free-entry-british-canadian-nationals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:24:58 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s travel industry is expecting a sharp increase in visitors to Australia during this month’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, as millions of tourists fan out across the world for a nine-day break. Industry insiders said the lure of wine, seafood, nature and flexible small-group itineraries was driving interest in the island country. Australia is projected to attract “the most travellers from China” during the break, with bookings likely to more than double over last year’s total, according... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343560/great-barrier-reef-calling-chinese-tourists-make-australia-lunar-new-year-hotspot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343560/great-barrier-reef-calling-chinese-tourists-make-australia-lunar-new-year-hotspot?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:00:17 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang China’s first home-grown large cruise ship has now handled 1 million passengers since its commercial debut two years ago, a sign of progress as Beijing strives to boost household spending on services and cultivate new growth drivers. The operator of the Adora Magic City announced the news via its website on Sunday, saying it aimed to propel the growth of China’s cruise economy and establish a “Chinese benchmark” for the global cruise industry. Construction of the company’s second domestically... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342933/chinas-cruise-industry-passes-major-milestone-beijing-eyes-travel-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342933/chinas-cruise-industry-passes-major-milestone-beijing-eyes-travel-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide election victory has dimmed hopes that ties between Tokyo and Beijing will significantly improve in the near term, analysts and businesspeople said, though some expect tensions to stabilise over time. Her ruling coalition secured the win on Sunday, strengthening the hand of a leader who infuriated Beijing by outlining how Tokyo might respond to a mainland attack on Taiwan. Enterprises caught in the middle of the dispute would have to tread... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342960/china-japan-dispute-what-next-businesses-after-takaichis-election-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342960/china-japan-dispute-what-next-businesses-after-takaichis-election-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:30:10 +0000 Stephen McCarty Stephen McCarty First, there was Action Man. Then, there was Ash Dykes. The explorer, extreme-sports athlete, triple world-record holder and Sinophile recently spent two months filming in northern China following the Yellow River, going from “source to sea: kayaking, paragliding, rock climbing – you name it”, he says. Before that came his expedition to the Amazon River, involving a trek of its full length and a search for its origins. And he is already planning “something similar to the Yellow River, in the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342634/explore-great-wall-foot-bike-and-underwater-ash-dykes-his-new-bbc-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342634/explore-great-wall-foot-bike-and-underwater-ash-dykes-his-new-bbc-show?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson It’s comforting – in an admittedly dystopian way – how well my algorithm gets me. Over the past few weeks, I’ve gone down a rabbit hole of horoscope content (both Eastern and Western) on Instagram. Wondering what the Year of the Fire Horse might hold for an Aquarius rabbit? My second-hand knowledge, absorbed from online pseudo gurus with questionable levels of expertise, can tell you (it’s looking bright, if you can believe them). I learned that the Fire Horse has something of a reputation. In... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3342591/week-postmag-lunar-new-year-and-meaning-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3342591/week-postmag-lunar-new-year-and-meaning-home?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 04:45:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Two French adventurers reached the end of an epic walk from their hometown to Shanghai on Saturday, after nearly a year and a half crossing 16 countries almost entirely on foot. Tired but delighted, Loic Voisot and Benjamin Humblot embraced as they stood by the river on the Bund promenade, the Chinese financial hub’s distinctive skyline glittering in the background. Voisot, 26, and Humblot, 27, set off from Annecy in southeastern France in September 2024. Yearning for a “great adventure”, they... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342790/french-duo-reach-shanghai-china-after-walking-over-12000km-518-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342790/french-duo-reach-shanghai-china-after-walking-over-12000km-518-days?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:12:05 +0000 Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee When the first cohort of elite foreign captains parachuted into Chinese airlines in the 2000s, their sky-high pay – sometimes reaching 1 million yuan a year – raised eyebrows among their Chinese counterparts. These hotshot aviators, with their international exposure and qualifications, enjoyed a stratospheric level of success in the burgeoning Chinese market. Facing a shortage of experienced pilots, Chinese carriers embraced them with open arms, granting generous benefits and speedy paths to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings The number of Chinese visitors to Japan dropped sharply last month amid a diplomatic row over Taiwan. With Beijing again warning against travel to Japan during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, analysts have been closely watching to see how much damage the slowdown might inflict on the Japanese economy. Though Chinese tourism has plunged, overall visitor numbers have only dipped slightly as Japanese travel operators pivot to alternative markets. Meanwhile, Japan’s airlines have unexpectedly... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3341840/diplomatic-row-drags-how-japan-coping-fall-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3341840/diplomatic-row-drags-how-japan-coping-fall-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:00:12 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee Yeon Woo Lee For Choi Yu-jin, a 31-year-old Seoul-based fashion designer, the perfect getaway requires three elements: value, spotless streetscapes and unforgettable flavours. And Shanghai, she says, delivers on all counts. Three visits since 2024, with a fourth planned for April, are testament to a city that is increasingly capturing the imagination – and wallets – of South Korean travellers, buoyed by visa-free access and a burgeoning reputation for cosmopolitan appeal. “Restaurants and streets were... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3341851/chinas-visa-free-waivers-spark-korean-travel-boom-underpin-tourism-revival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3341851/chinas-visa-free-waivers-spark-korean-travel-boom-underpin-tourism-revival?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings During his state visit to Beijing in January, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that China had agreed to grant citizens of the United Kingdom visa-free entry for trips lasting up to 30 days. Only days before, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that China had committed to exploring a similar deal for his country’s nationals. Over the past two years, Beijing has been steadily lowering visa requirements for inbound travellers – or removing them outright – to stimulate China’s... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341857/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341857/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 09:00:08 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun From ice castles in Harbin to ski resorts in Xinjiang and glaciers in Sichuan, China’s ice and snow destinations are seeing a sharp rise in foreign arrivals as the winter weather deepens, with visa rules easing and strong Southeast Asian demand driving triple-digit growth in inbound travel. Inbound bookings to China’s winter destinations have climbed close to 100 per cent year on year this season, with growth in Hebei province, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Inner Mongolia... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339834/foreigners-flock-chinas-ice-and-snow-attractions-130-inbound-tourism-spike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339834/foreigners-flock-chinas-ice-and-snow-attractions-130-inbound-tourism-spike?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese regulators are targeting one of the world’s biggest travel platforms in an anti-monopoly probe after complaints it had hurt travellers and travel operators in China’s expansive tourism market, analysts said. Unlike the broad legal actions against Chinese tech firms and cram schools five years ago, the investigation into Trip.com is seen as a relatively isolated case – yet one that might precipitate others – in response to issues over commissions, exclusivity and the sophisticated use of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3341019/china-probe-tripcom-zeroes-algorithms-prices-after-vendor-backlash-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3341019/china-probe-tripcom-zeroes-algorithms-prices-after-vendor-backlash-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:30:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China could launch anti-dumping investigations into Japanese imports, impose more export bans and discourage consumption of the country’s goods if it escalates a dispute with Tokyo that began in November, according to Morgan Stanley. Beijing might also expand a temporary ban on the sale of rare earth metals – crucial components in hi-tech hardware and automobiles – to target civilian manufacturing, the New York-based multinational investment bank said in a note by a team of researchers, led by... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340556/china-could-widen-curbs-japans-imports-rare-earths-if-tensions-worsen-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340556/china-could-widen-curbs-japans-imports-rare-earths-if-tensions-worsen-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:20 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng China has opened an antitrust investigation into Trip.com Group, the country’s largest online travel services provider, weeks before hundreds of millions of people on the mainland go away on holiday during the Lunar New Year break. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Wednesday said the group – operator of namesake platform Trip.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip, Qunar and Dutch site Travix – abused its “dominant market position” and engaged in “monopolistic practices”. The... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3339915/beijing-launches-antitrust-investigation-tripcom-ahead-lunar-new-year-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3339915/beijing-launches-antitrust-investigation-tripcom-ahead-lunar-new-year-break?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:00:22 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee Yeon Woo Lee Chinese tourist numbers are recovering across Asia after a pandemic-era contraction, buoyed by the expansion of visa-free policies and a stronger yuan. But one thing has not returned: the spending sprees that used to boost duty-free retailers around the world. The trend can be clearly seen in South Korea, which relied on Chinese travellers for 70 per cent of its duty-free sales before Covid-19. Around 5 million visitors from China arrived in the country during the first 11 months of 2025, a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339833/why-are-chinese-tourists-spending-less-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339833/why-are-chinese-tourists-spending-less-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:00:11 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s vast outbound travel market is set for further growth in 2026, boosted by the spread of visa-free policies for Chinese nationals and a stronger yuan. But visits to Japan could plummet by nearly 50 per cent amid a political dispute between Beijing and Tokyo, according to analysts and industry insiders. Mainland Chinese travellers are expected to take about 165 million to 175 million cross-border trips in 2026, up from an estimated 155 million last year, the travel marketing and technology... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339348/chinas-outbound-travel-set-soar-10-million-trips-2026-halve-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339348/chinas-outbound-travel-set-soar-10-million-trips-2026-halve-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 08:00:16 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Vietnam welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2025, as a resurgence of Chinese visitors and relaxed visa policies helped lure travellers. The Southeast Asian nation received around 21.2 million international visitors last year, up 20 per cent, according to the National Statistics Office. Its previous peak was 18 million, recorded in 2019 before the pandemic. Vietnam’s surge is part of a broader realignment in Southeast Asia’s multibillion-dollar tourism industry, largely at the expense... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3338813/vietnam-overtakes-thailand-chinese-tourists-top-choice-travel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3338813/vietnam-overtakes-thailand-chinese-tourists-top-choice-travel?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:52:48 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Beijing is looking to expand China’s world-leading network of high-speed trains by 19 per cent within five years in an ongoing bid to boost connectivity across the country. The national railway operator unveiled the blueprint on Sunday to expand the country’s operational rail network to around 180,000km (112,000 miles) by 2030 – with high-speed routes totalling 60,000km and accounting for one-third of the full network – as part of the country’s infrastructure push under the nation’s 2026–2030... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338778/china-plans-19-high-speed-rail-expansion-2030-amid-global-dominance-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338778/china-plans-19-high-speed-rail-expansion-2030-amid-global-dominance-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:32:16 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu More Chinese travellers are pivoting from mass-market sightseeing to bespoke adventures to ring in the new year, fuelling a surge in demand for pet-friendly itineraries and winter excursions as service consumption defies a broader economic gloom. “Tailored travel is gaining traction,” online travel platform Fliggy said in a December 23 statement, citing a shift towards immersive “experiences that go beyond sightseeing”, favouring more memorable moments and personalisation. In particular,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338357/chinas-service-sector-shines-holidaymakers-embrace-pet-travel-and-bespoke-adventures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338357/chinas-service-sector-shines-holidaymakers-embrace-pet-travel-and-bespoke-adventures?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:00:22 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Despite China-EU trade frictions, Paris and other European cities remain the top destinations for Chinese travellers, with growing China-France trade and visa-free entry spurring companies like Air France-KLM to explore new opportunities. The Franco-Dutch airline group reported strong inbound demand from Europe in 2025, driven by China’s visa-free policy for travellers from more than 30 European nations, covering both business and leisure segments. In the first three quarters, the company posted... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337588/china-europe-travel-markets-resilience-keeps-air-france-klm-optimistic-despite-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3337588/china-europe-travel-markets-resilience-keeps-air-france-klm-optimistic-despite-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 03:30:10 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian More young Chinese consumers are opting for bed-and-breakfast stays at private villas to ring in the New Year, drawn to the larger space, set-up options and enhanced privacy offered by these properties, leading to a fresh round of competition for hoteliers. That has prompted B&B operators to step up efforts in creating distinct ritualistic experiences – such as group countdown events, fireworks displays and complimentary bottles of wine – to attract more guests while standing out in a crowded... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338132/chinas-gen-z-consumers-drive-rise-homestay-bookings-ring-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338132/chinas-gen-z-consumers-drive-rise-homestay-bookings-ring-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott If you have plans to explore the world in 2026, then these Post stories should help fuel your wanderlust. A feature on Shunde, a prosperous district of Foshan city in China’s Guangdong province, renowned for its sophisticated, fresh Cantonese cuisine, will inspire those who love to travel for food, while a story on the Norwegian Epic cruise ship is for those who enjoy life at sea. Personal adventures, including a story about Hongkonger Kaylie Lau, who quit her corporate job in fashion marketing... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:15:10 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun A customs scheme covering the entirety of Hainan, China’s southern island province, appears to have triggered a surge in consumption since its inception last week, with the province’s tourism hub Sanya recording more than 500 million yuan (US$71.25 million) in duty-free sales over five days. Analysts cautioned, however, that the greater significance of the policy lies less in short-term spending boosts than in whether Hainan can diversify its economy beyond its previous reliance on real estate... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338035/chinas-hainan-hosts-duty-free-shopping-spree-under-new-customs-regime?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338035/chinas-hainan-hosts-duty-free-shopping-spree-under-new-customs-regime?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 03:00:09 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Brazil is preparing to waive visa requirements for Chinese citizens travelling for tourism and business, local media reported on Wednesday citing government sources, in a move that would mark a significant shift in policy and deepen ties with its largest trading partner. The planned measure, expected to be announced in early 2026, would put Brazil on a reciprocal footing after China unilaterally granted visa-free entry to Brazilians for short stays. According to local newspaper Valor Economico,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3337667/brazil-weighs-visa-free-travel-chinese-nationals-capture-booming-outbound-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3337667/brazil-weighs-visa-free-travel-chinese-nationals-capture-booming-outbound-market?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:38:37 +0000