BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- In a park in the city of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Polish travel influencer Wiktoria gasped and laughed in excitement as a drone carrying her ice cream descended to the pickup point.
That moment, however, was just the beginning of her "mind-blowing" experience. From hailing a driverless taxi to buying a cup of coffee made by a robot, she saw firsthand how technology has been woven into everyday life in this dynamic metropolis.
"I think it's the most futuristic city," she said in a video that has since garnered thousands of views on YouTube, drawing comments such as "impressed" and "fascinating."
Wiktoria is far from alone. As the "China Travel" trend continues to gain momentum, a growing number of international tourists, many visiting under China's visa-free entry policies, are flocking to the country for an eye-opening tech-focused itinerary.
China currently offers unilateral visa-free entry to nationals of 50 countries and has expanded its 240-hour visa-free transit program to 65 entry ports. In the first quarter of 2026, the country recorded 8.32 million visa-free entries by foreign nationals, up 29.3 percent year on year.
For many travelers, iconic scenic spots and delicious food still top the must-experience list. Meanwhile, they are increasingly gravitating toward hands-on tech experiences at sites that, until recently, were rarely found in traditional tourist guidebooks.
Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei, one of the world's largest wholesale markets for electronic products, is a good example. It has become a popular destination for foreign tourists eager to get their hands on advanced digital gadgets, ranging from AI glasses to foldable smartphones, with travelers also sharing their shopping tips on social media platforms.
"I am so excited," U.S. vlogger Logan posted online after a recent visit to the market. "Being the tech nerd that I am, this is paradise for me."
Visitors can also feel the pulse of China's technological advances in Shanghai in the east of the country. Just over a month ago, this metropolis saw Unitree Robotics, a leading humanoid robot maker in China, open its first embodied intelligence experience store in Asia, which takes advanced robotics out of the lab and into a bustling commercial hub.
"The store is incredibly impressive," Austrian visitor Valerie Hofer, who viewed the products there as a demonstration of China's pioneering role in terms of robotics and AI, told Xinhua.
Data backs Hofer's impression. China was home to more than 140 humanoid robot developers in 2025, with shipments reaching 14,400 units -- accounting for 84.7 percent of the global market, according to an industry research report.
Moreover, the number of AI enterprises in China had surpassed 6,000 last year, and the output value of the core AI industry was projected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan (about 177 billion U.S. dollars) during the same period, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 30 percent.
All these achievements underpin China's emerging appeal for global visitors as a burgeoning innovator, with many so curious that they have extended their trips beyond showrooms to visit the places where the country's high-tech products come to life.
Among such attractions is Xiaomi's automobile factory in Beijing. Since opening to the public in March 2024, the 718,000-square-meter complex has offered a unique window for worldwide visitors, especially entrepreneurs, keen to catch a glimpse of China's innovation ecosystem and sustained momentum.
Statistics from this newcomer to the electric vehicle industry revealed that the factory had received more than 400 foreign government and business delegations from roughly 70 countries and regions in 2025.
"Global visitors come with high expectations for Xiaomi's vehicles, and we hope they can leave with a broader understanding of the capabilities and potential of China's automotive industry," said Ma Lan, a manager at this frequently visited factory.
The enthusiasm is not lost on the tourism industry. Fliggy, a Chinese online travel platform, has recently launched a new line of tailor-made inbound tech tours, offering visitors immersive experiences with cutting-edge products and hands-on visits to Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba.
These new tours are now open for inquiries and bookings, the company said, adding that inquiries from international travelers have been surging since the launch.
"China boasts the world's most comprehensive industrial system," said Yin Jie, a tourism professor at Huaqiao University in east China's Fujian Province. "From space technology facilities to smart manufacturing workshops, these sites serve as the best calling cards to showcase the country's manufacturing capabilities and technological innovation." ■
