Nihao China App Powers the Shanghai Summer Campaign with All-in-One Digital Services for International Visitors
Shanghai, China – August 15, 2026 – Powered by its integrated payment, transit, and multilingual capabilities, the Nihao China app removes common barriers faced by international visitors—unlocking new momentum for consumer spending in Shanghai this summer.
The 2026 Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season is in full swing, and the Nihao China app developed by China UnionPay has been making it easier for international travelers to explore the city. By bringing together payments, transportation, culture and tourism, and everyday services in a single digital platform, the app provides a seamless experience—from trip planning before departure to spending on the ground—supporting Shanghai’s ambition to become an international consumption hub.
Available in 160+ Countries and Regions: Helping Overseas Visitors Prepare for Their Shanghai Trip
Launched in December 2025, the Nihao China app is now available in more than 160 countries and regions. Unlike conventional inbound travel services that typically become available after arrival, the app helps users prepare for their China trip before they leave home, providing access to visa information, itinerary planning, and real-time currency conversion. By downloading and setting up the app in advance, travelers can start using its services as soon as they land in Shanghai—significantly lowering the barriers to planning an inbound trip.
Three Simple Steps to Easier Payments for International Travelers
Payment has long been a key challenge for international tourists. The need to exchange currency, open a domestic bank account, and obtain a local mobile number can make spending complicated. The Nihao China app helps address these challenges by enabling online top-ups via international cards, including Visa and Mastercard, in just three steps—with no currency exchange, domestic bank account or local mobile number required.
Once topped up, travelers can make instant payments with UnionPay QR codes at over 100,000 merchant locations across Shanghai, covering dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. With this level of convenience, the app makes it easier for international visitors to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
One Transit QR Code for Metro in 43 Cities & Buses in 1,760 Cities
When it comes to transportation, the Nihao China app provides access to metro systems in over 40 major cities and bus networks covering more than 1,700 cities at county level and above across China. In Shanghai, international visitors can take both metro and buses with a single transit QR code, enjoying the same seamless public transport experience as local residents.
The app also features a smart map and navigation service, allowing users to search for nearby merchants, ATMs, and currency exchange outlets in real time, and plan travel routes intelligently. This helps visitors new to Shanghai navigate the city with confidence, even in unfamiliar surroundings.
Real-Time Translation Bridges Language Gaps with a Digital Tour Guide at Hand
Language barriers are a common challenge in cross-border travel. With multilingual real-time conversational translation and in-page translation, the Nihao China app helps travelers communicate more easily when booking rides, ordering food, and asking for directions.
In addition, the platform offers intelligent Q&A services, providing detailed information about attractions,transportation routes, local food recommendations, and more. In this way, it serves as a personalized digital tour guide that travelers can take with them wherever they go.
Innovative Instant Tax Refund Service—Refunds Received within Seconds
To meet visitors’ needs for departure tax refunds, the Nihao China app has partnered with major banks to launch an innovative instant tax refund service, with refunds credited within seconds in Shanghai and other key cities.
With OCR-enabled data recognition, QR-based interactions, and an English-language user interface, the platform enables travelers to conveniently complete tax refunds before departure, further enhancing the cross-border shopping experience.
About Nihao China App
“Explore the Yangtze River Delta” Page Launched to Boost Culture and Tourism Spending across the Region
Focusing on high-frequency scenarios such as transportation, attraction visits, and shopping, the Nihao China app continues to deliver exclusive savings promotions for domestic spending. Leveraging the platform’s capabilities, visitors can easily plan cross-city trips across the Yangtze River Delta in addition to exploring Shanghai in great depth. Starting their China Travel in Shanghai, visitors can venture beyond the city to discover more destinations and experience across China.
Moving forward, China UnionPay will continue to build on the strength of its global payment network and work with ecosystem partners to improve inbound travel services. In line with the campaign theme “Shanghai Summer, Join the Family Fun”, China UnionPay will continue to enhance the Nihao China app and upgrade services for international travelers, supporting Shanghai’s development as an international consumption hub.
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Country: China
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