Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has witnessed an extraordinary surge in tourism-related financial activity, with tax refunds for international visitors skyrocketing by 2,600% during the first ten months of 2025. According to customs data from Urumqi, the region’s primary international gateway, refunds processed at the aviation port exceeded 8 million yuan (approximately $1.13 million), signaling a dramatic revitalization of cross-border tourism.
The remarkable growth follows China’s strategic policy enhancements implemented in April 2025, which significantly optimized the nation’s departure tax refund system. These measures included reducing minimum purchase thresholds, simplifying refund procedures, and expanding service channels to create a more visitor-friendly experience.
Xinjiang’s diverse natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage have long attracted global travelers, with the region welcoming 2.12 million inbound visitors during the reporting period—a 6.06% increase year-on-year. The expanded tax-refund program now covers twelve distinct product categories, including luxury goods, cultural artifacts, textiles, and local specialty foods.
At Urumqi Tianshan International Airport, multilingual signage and information screens in six languages guide international travelers through the streamlined refund process. Azamat Yernar, a tourist from Kazakhstan, reported completing his refund within two minutes after purchasing Atlas silk garments and Xinjiang handicrafts. ‘These products are incredibly unique, and the prices become even more attractive after the tax refund,’ Yernar noted. ‘The entire process was remarkably convenient.’
Customs officials have committed to further enhancing the visitor experience. ‘We will continue to enrich tax-refund product varieties with distinctive Xinjiang characteristics and improve service convenience for travelers,’ stated Zhang Weijie, deputy director of the airport’s customs office, highlighting ongoing efforts to position Xinjiang as a premier global tourism destination.