The list of top 10 destinations for inbound tourism in China for the first half of 2025 based on Visa's total credit card payment volume by overseas tourists was released recently. Zhangjiajie ranked seventh, making it the only non-first-tier city on the list. The top 10 cities are Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Zhangjiajie, Suzhou, Xiamen, and Nanjing.

This ranking is said to be determined by overseas tourists' "wallets," serving as an "economic barometer" that accurately reflects the spending preferences of international tourists. Zhangjiajie's inclusion as an emerging tourist destination signifies a new trend in China's inbound tourism market, indicating a shift from traditional metropolitan cities toward a diversification of tourism destinations.

In recent years, leveraging its abundant tourism resources, Zhangjiajie has continuously developed diverse, differentiated, and immersive travel experiences for visitors. With a wide range of international consumption scenarios and vibrant cultural tourism spending, Zhangjiajie has emerged as one of the most remarkable high-growth destinations in China's inbound tourism market. Meanwhile, the internationalization of supporting services, including transportation, accommodation, dining, and payment systems, has steadily improved, delivering a smoother and more comfortable travel experience for international tourists.

Data shows that from January to July this year, Zhangjiajie received 722,300 inbound tourist trips, with foreign exchange earnings from tourism reaching 376 million USD, representing year-on-year increases of 14.2% and 16.42%, respectively. These trends indicate strong consumption potential.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan