Shanghai released its 15th Five-Year Plan for innovative urban tourism development on October 13, 2026, aiming to generate over 900 billion yuan ($134.5 billion) in annual tourism revenue and exceed 10 million inbound visitors annually by 2030. The plan seeks tourism value-added to represent 5 percent of Shanghai’s GDP as part of its strategy to become China’s leading gateway for inbound tourism, a premier urban tourism destination, and a pilot zone for cultural and tourism integration.
Recent Tourism Growth During 14th Five-Year Plan
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Shanghai recorded 425 million tourist arrivals in 2025 and achieved tourism revenue of 672.365 billion yuan. The
city experienced average annual growth rates of 12.39 percent in arrivals and 16.45 percent in revenue between 2020 and 2025. Foreign inbound visitors accounted for one-fifth of China’s total arrivals, with Shanghai ranking first nationwide.
Cultural tourism expanded significantly, with 61,400 commercial performances hosted in 2025—double the 2020 figure. More than 1,500 cultural and art exhibitions attracted over 50 million visitors, including over 60 percent who traveled from other provinces.
Spatial and Industrial Tourism Development Plans
Shanghai plans to construct a world-class riverside tourism belt along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek featuring seven distinctive waterfront zones such as the Bund, Xuhui West Bund, and the
Expo area. These waterfront zones will evolve from sightseeing locations into multi-experience urban destinations. Downtown cultural clusters will be optimized, while suburban themed tourism belts will develop around auto culture, ancient town wellness, and industrial heritage.
The city targets creating 100 key rural tourism villages and 100 municipal-level community attractions by 2030. Industrial tourism will focus on smart manufacturing and megastructure infrastructure to provide immersive experiences. Rural tourism strategies will transition from day trips to overnight stays supported by micro-resort development. Urban parks will prioritize quality improvements by implementing open perimeters and integrated cultural, sporting, and artistic programming to increase
tourism consumption.
Official Vision and Innovation Goals
Zhao Yong, director of the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, indicated the city will continue innovating with diverse, personalized, and high-quality tourism products. The vision emphasizes creating offerings that encourage residents and visitors to connect more deeply with Shanghai’s urban environment and culture.
