Shanghai experiences surge in international travel in 2025

In 2025, Shanghai ports saw a significant increase in activity, with 42.85 million passenger trips, marking a 17.9 percent rise from the previous year.

The city's Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport handled 39.9 million passenger trips, maintaining Shanghai's status as China's top air gateway for the 23rd year. Maritime operations also thrived, with 45,000 ship movements contributing to Shanghai Port's global leadership in container throughput for the 16th year.

International flights grew by 13.2 percent, totaling 257,000, while optimized visa policies boosted foreign arrivals by 39.7 percent, reaching 5.66 million. Tourism was the main reason for entry, with 58.5 percent of visitors coming for leisure.

Additionally, visa-free policies accounted for 58 percent of foreign entries. Cruise travel surged as well, with 1.83 million passenger trips recorded, a 34.4 percent increase from 2024.

Travelers line up to go through border inspection at an airport in Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]