China Accelerates Inbound Tourism Growth as Tencent Tests TenPayGo to Simplify Digital Payments for Travellers from Japan and South Korea, Boosting Seamless Travel, Visitor Spending and Cross-Border Tourism Across the Cashless Economy

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China is accelerating inbound tourism growth by testing Tencent’s TenPayGo, a new digital payment platform designed to simplify transactions for international visitors. The app aims to make digital payments easier for travellers from Japan and South Korea, two of China’s important inbound tourism markets, by enabling seamless access to the country’s QR code-based cashless economy. By reducing payment barriers, TenPayGo is expected to improve seamless travel, encourage higher visitor spending, and strengthen cross-border tourism across hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail and public transport. Global tourism impact: Easier digital payments could make China more accessible to international travellers while supporting stronger regional travel flows and tourism spending across East Asia.

China’s Digital Payment Push Could Strengthen Inbound Tourism as TenPayGo Simplifies Travel for International Visitors

Tencent’s testing of TenPayGo reflects China’s wider effort to make international travel more convenient by removing one of the biggest barriers for overseas visitors—digital payments. As China continues expanding visa-free access, improving transport connectivity and encouraging inbound tourism, a dedicated payment platform could help visitors navigate the country’s cashless economy with greater ease. According to the data provided, China is projected to welcome around 85 million international arrivals in 2026, with inbound tourism spending forecast to reach approximately US$150 billion. The country has also expanded visa-free entry to more than 50 countries, alongside transit policies allowing eligible travellers to stay for up to 10 days, creating a stronger foundation for seamless leisure and business travel.

• Supports China’s digital tourism strategy.
• Makes QR code payments more accessible for overseas visitors.
• Complements expanding visa and transit policies.
• Helps increase visitor spending across destinations.
• Strengthens the overall inbound travel experience.

Why Could Japanese Travellers Benefit Most from TenPayGo When Visiting China?

Japan remains one of China’s leading source markets for both leisure and business travel, supported by extensive air connectivity and close economic ties. Although Japanese travellers are accustomed to advanced digital payment systems at home, making payments in China has often required downloading domestic applications or linking overseas bank cards to local platforms. TenPayGo could significantly simplify this process by enabling visitors to access QR code payments through a platform designed specifically for overseas users. This would make everyday transactions at hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping centres and public transport services quicker and more convenient. Easier payments may also encourage independent travel beyond China’s largest cities, allowing Japanese visitors to explore regional destinations with greater confidence.

• Simplifies digital payments for Japanese visitors.
• Reduces reliance on cash and international cards.
• Improves convenience across hotels, transport and attractions.
• Supports both leisure and business travel.
• Encourages wider tourism spending across China.

How Can South Korean Visitors Experience Smoother Travel Through China’s Digital Payment Ecosystem?

South Korea is another major contributor to China’s inbound tourism and business travel market, with frequent flights connecting cities across both countries. While South Korean consumers are familiar with cashless transactions, accessing China’s domestic payment ecosystem has traditionally presented practical challenges. TenPayGo has the potential to remove these obstacles by allowing overseas travellers to complete payments through a dedicated application linked to Tencent’s payment network. This can make visiting cultural attractions, dining at local restaurants, using metro systems and shopping in retail districts considerably more convenient. A simplified payment experience may also encourage repeat visits, longer stays and higher visitor spending while strengthening tourism links between the two neighbouring countries.

• Makes China’s QR payment system easier to access.
• Supports smoother leisure and business travel.
• Improves spending convenience throughout the journey.
• Benefits transport, retail and hospitality sectors.
• Strengthens China–South Korea tourism connectivity.

How Could TenPayGo Transform the Overall Travel Experience Across China?

Modern travellers increasingly expect destinations to offer seamless digital services alongside efficient transport and accommodation. TenPayGo has the potential to improve every stage of the visitor journey by combining payments with practical travel functions in a single platform. International travellers could pay for hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping, taxis and public transport without navigating multiple applications or relying heavily on cash. This integrated approach supports independent travel while making everyday transactions faster and more intuitive. For tourism businesses, simpler payment options can help attract more international customers and encourage higher spending across local economies, particularly among small businesses that already accept Weixin Pay through QR codes.

• Creates a smoother end-to-end travel experience.
• Integrates payments with everyday travel services.
• Supports independent international travellers.
• Benefits local tourism businesses.
• Encourages higher visitor confidence and spending.

Digital Payments Could Become a New Driver of China’s Tourism Growth

China’s tourism strategy increasingly combines visa facilitation, transport development and digital innovation to improve the visitor experience. The 2026 tourism outlook indicates continued expansion through stronger air connectivity, high-speed rail integration and greater focus on multi-city travel beyond traditional gateway destinations. TenPayGo complements these developments by addressing the payment challenges international visitors have historically encountered. As more travellers can easily access restaurants, attractions, hotels, local transport and retail services through digital payments, the overall tourism economy stands to benefit from broader visitor participation and increased spending. By reducing friction throughout the travel journey, digital payment platforms could become an important competitive advantage for China’s inbound tourism sector in the years ahead.

• Supports China’s long-term tourism development.
• Complements visa reforms and transport expansion.
• Encourages travel beyond major gateway cities.
• Increases tourism spending opportunities.
• Enhances China’s competitiveness as an international destination.

Conclusion

Tencent’s testing of TenPayGo highlights how technology can support China’s inbound tourism growth by making digital payments simpler and more accessible for international visitors. As travellers from Japan and South Korea gain easier access to China’s cashless economy, the platform has the potential to deliver more seamless travel, improve convenience throughout the visitor journey and encourage higher visitor spending across tourism businesses. By reducing payment barriers and supporting smoother transactions, TenPayGo could strengthen cross-border tourism, enhance the overall travel experience and reinforce China’s position as a more accessible and digitally connected destination for regional and global travellers.