A Supercar Parade to Show Koreans... Shanghai Says "Let's Spend Money Well" and Achieve a Win-Win with Korea

After Visa-Free Policy, Surge in Korean Tourists and Spending
Chinese Netizens Show Interest... "Should Be Warmly Welcomed"

After China implemented a visa-free entry policy for Koreans, the number of Korean tourists visiting Shanghai has increased, drawing the attention of Chinese people to the appearance and clothing of Korean tourists.

Travelers are lining up to board a train at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. A photo to aid understanding of the article. Not directly related. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

According to the Chinese online travel platform Ctrip (携程), the number of Korean tourists visiting Shanghai surged by more than 180% from November 8 last year to the 8th of this month compared to the previous year. Shanghai customs statistics show that over 130,000 Korean nationals entered through Shanghai Pudong Airport last month.

Chinese netizens have particularly noted that most Korean tourists visiting Shanghai follow a certain "course," starting from the Bund, then passing through downtown areas such as Xintiandi, Wukang Road, the site of the Korean Provisional Government, and Yuyuan Garden, before heading to the outskirts like Zhujiajiao and Disneyland. One netizen said, "You can hear Korean spoken just a few steps along this route."

With the surge in Korean visitors, interest in Koreans is also growing. Lianhe Zaobao reported, "Chinese netizens think that the travel routes of Korean tourists are monotonous and their clothing styles are very similar," adding, "Many young Korean men part their hair in the middle, have single eyelids, prominent cheekbones, and wear stylish clothes."

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

Unlike European and American tourists who tend to spend less even when visiting China, some netizens are paying attention to the active consumption of Korean tourists in Shanghai, such as buying clothes and luxury bags, getting nail care, and taking photos wearing traditional Chinese costumes. They left comments like, "Shanghai has finally met the people who understand Shanghai best," and "'Korean chaebols' and 'Shanghai prices' are running toward each other."

Lianhe Zaobao also reported that among this, wealthy second-generation residents of Shanghai have been driving supercars to places like Wukang Road, where Korean tourists gather, early in the morning. When Korean tourists try to take pictures of the cars with their phones, these drivers sometimes pose for them. The newspaper said, "Who would have thought that this supercar parade was actually aimed at Korean visitors recently arriving in Shanghai?" and reported that local police controlled the supercar procession heading to Wukang Road on the 12th due to the excessive number of luxury cars.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

Chinese netizens collectively expressed, "Korean tourists traveling in China not only stimulate consumption but can also break down prejudices against China," and said, "Since it is inherently a win-win situation, it should be warmly welcomed."