As “China Travel” becomes a buzzword in global tourism, Chengdu is riding the wave of international interest. Following China's implementation of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy in December 2024, the city has seen a surge of over 40% in foreign arrivals through its ports. Sipping tea in a traditional lidded bowl at People's Park or watching the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera face-changing performances in Kuanzhai Alley are now must-do activities for inbound travelers.

Costumes in the Shu Brocade Experience Store

But what's a trip to Chengdu without some retail therapy? Qingyang District currently boasts 28 tax-free shops catering to international visitors, spanning sectors from department stores and cultural-creative products to jewelry, books, tea, home appliances, and digital gadgets.

Among them is the Yuanzhi Shu Brocade Experience Store in the Wenshu Monastery Cultural Block. Branded as a “living art space blending intangible heritage with modern fashion,” the store specializes in crafting, customizing, and selling Shu brocade—a UNESCO-recognized textile art. Its global campaign, “Let the World See the Beauty of Shu Brocade,” has toured over a dozen countries across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, earning acclaim for bridging tradition and contemporary design.

To attract international shoppers, the store prominently displays a blue “TAX FREE” sign at its entrance. Inside, under soft amber lighting, visitors browse through an array of luxurious yet refined Shu brocade products: embroidered apparel, hair accessories, silk scarves, and even phone cases. The store buzzes with both locals and tourists exploring its cultural offerings.

International Visitors Browse the Shu brocade

“Becoming a tax-free shop has boosted our brand visibility and sales. We've noticed a clear uptick in international customers lately,” said Hou Qiang, the store manager.

Shu Brocade Experience Store

Beyond tax-free shopping, Qingyang is enhancing convenience for global travelers by optimizing tourism infrastructure and payment systems. Many restaurants now feature bilingual menus, inviting visitors to savor Sichuan cuisine’s famed diversity—“each dish a distinct masterpiece, a hundred dishes offering a hundred flavors.”