Transit passengers get free sightseeing in city
SHANGHAI Express, a free layover tour service for international passengers transiting for more than eight hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, was launched recently.
It enables inbound passengers to explore the city and experience its unique splendor in their limited time.
The free half-day tour was launched by China’s global travel service provider Trip. com on April 15, and three routes that include iconic city attractions are available.
The one-stop service covers a range of items from free sightseeing trips and free transportation to foreign currency exchange and free Internet services.
An English tour guide service is offered.
The service also includes admission to the Yuyuan Garden and a Huangpu River cruise tour at night.
Since April 15, nearly 200 foreigners have enjoyed the service, with the majority of them from Europe and from Southeast Asian countries, according to Trip.com.
There were also passengers from North America, South America and Africa.
Maria Creasey from the United Kingdom who made a transfer at the airport over the weekend had a pleasant tour with the service.
She and her partner took a flight from Sri Lanka and transited at the airport. She was bound for London. “We had 21 hours in Shanghai, and we originally planned to visit the city ourselves,” she told Shanghai Daily.
Creasey showed the reporter about 10 places that she planned to visit.
“See, several have overlapped with the free tour stops,” she said, delighted.
“The service is amazing, incredible, and really awesome,” she said.
Maria tasted a local scallion pancake at the Yuyuan Garden Scenic Area.
“It’s very delicious.”
The city launched the “Visit Shanghai” campaign in December last year to boost inbound tourism and make Shanghai the first stop in China for inbound travelers.
And Shanghai has proved to be an attractive destination for inbound tourists.