Shanghai Sees Surge in Affluent Foreign Tourism Driven by Major Events

Shanghai is experiencing a significant increase in high-conclude foreign tourism, highlighted by a record-breaking number of inbound visitors and bolstered by major international events like the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. The influx is providing a substantial boost to the city’s economy, with hotels and related businesses reporting significant gains.

Record Inbound Visitors

On March 13, Shanghai recorded over 27,000 inbound foreign visitors – a new single-day high . This surge coincides with a series of high-profile events held over the past weekend, including the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, the China Appliance & Consumer Electronics Expo, and a concert by the band Dream Theater .

Formula 1 Drives Tourism Growth

The 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix played a key role in attracting international visitors. Approximately 14% of attendees were from outside of China, totaling over 30,000 foreign spectators – a 3 percentage point increase compared to the previous year . Trip.com reported a 20% year-on-year increase in inbound travel bookings during the F1 weekend, with international travelers accounting for 36% of ticket purchases . Fans from South Korea, the United States, and Malaysia were particularly active in booking travel related to the event .

Economic Impact

The economic impact of these events is substantial. F1-related merchandise sold out quickly, and searches for “F1” on Trip.com increased by 120 times at its peak . Hotel bookings across Shanghai rose by 96% week-on-week, with some hotels experiencing a 38-fold increase in occupancy . Visitors are staying in Shanghai for an average of three days, extending the economic benefits beyond the event dates .

Shanghai International Circuit Location

The Shanghai International Circuit is located at 2000 Yining Road in Jiading District . Organizers are encouraging the use of green travel options during the event .

2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Schedule

The 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix schedule includes:

• Friday, March 13: Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying for all 22 F1 drivers. The F1 Academy also begins its season with practice and qualifying sessions.
• Saturday, March 14: The Sprint race at 11am, followed by Grand Prix Qualifying. The F1 Academy will hold its first feature race.
• Sunday, March 15: The F1 Academy second feature race, followed by the Grand Prix.

Prior to the Grand Prix, a driver parade and opening ceremony will capture place .