Shanghai summer kicks off with 'Easy Go'

Shanghai has officially launched "Easy Go", a comprehensive digital platform integrating diverse services, aiming to better serve international visitors and further boost inbound consumption in the city, officials announced at a news conference on Wednesday.

Operating on popular Chinese online payment tool Alipay, the English-language platform supports real-time translation in 14 languages to serve visitors from across the globe.

It features all-sided services for international visitors during their stay in Shanghai. With one registration and authorization on the platform, they will have access to services including efficient food delivery, public transport and ride hailing across the city, attraction information and ticket booking, as well as shopping and instant tax refunds.

A first batch of 30 mini-programs from 24 companies have plugged into the platform for service.

As a critical digital move in the 2025 "Shanghai Summer" International Consumption Season, it aims to offer international visitors smoother and more enjoyable experience in the city. Focusing on boosting inbound tourism and consumption during the summer vacation period, the first "Shanghai Summer" initiative last year has seen fruitful results, with the number of overseas visitors growing 42.2 percent year-on-year and total foreign currency consumption rising by 68.2 percent year-on-year.

This year, the growth momentum of inbound tourists and inbound consumption in Shanghai remains strong. In the first half of this year, the city welcomed over 4.24 million inbound tourists, up by 38.5 percent year-on-year. The sales of goods with departure tax refund grew 85 percent year-on-year during the period, with the sales of goods with tax refund-upon-purchase surging by 28.1 times.