Chongqing- Chongqing led China's five designated international consumption center cities in retail performance during the first half of 2025, with total retail sales of consumer goods exceeding 830 billion yuan ($115 billion), according to the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce recently.

A hotpot restaurant located in an underground air-raid shelter complex in Yubei District, Chongqing. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

The data confirms that Chongqing ranked first among the five cities—Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing—selected by the State Council in July 2021 for the pilot construction of international consumption centers.

New cultural and tourism offerings have driven the city's consumer economy. A highlight is the drone light show, held at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers on clear Saturday evenings and major holidays. Integrating technology and visual art, these performances showcase Chongqing's natural scenery and modern cityscape.

A visitor from Heilongjiang Province remarked, "It was imposing and beautiful. When the lights suddenly formed a blooming flower, it felt full of life."

To enhance visitor experiences, Yuzhong District has launched 65 new consumption spaces leveraging the river, cliff, street, and cave, using its historic urban resources. For example, the Cloud Rooftop cluster includes more than 20 destinations, such as Chongqing Raffles City Cloud Walk and WFC Observation Deck. These sites offer sightseeing, skywalks, swings, and dining, attracting up to 50,000 visitors daily during holidays.

The district is also tapping into trends like the first store economy and inbound tourism. New measures include on-the-spot tax refunds for departing tourists.

"We were the first to establish offline immediate tax refund centers in Chongqing. Refund stores have doubled, with sales increasing more than eightfold. In the first half of this year, Yuzhong's retail sales grew 5.6% year-on-year," said Zhu Lingyan, deputy director of Yuzhong District Commission of Commerce.

The policy allows foreign tourists to receive immediate RMB refunds for tax-exempt goods after signing an agreement and authorizing a credit card. With visa policy updates and easier payments, more foreign tourists are visiting, boosting interest in China Travel.

Cultural events and promotional campaigns have energized consumption year-round, citywide. Over 200 summer events are planned under the Chongqing Nightlife Festival. In Tongnan District, "Fujiang Nightlife: My Stage" offers food and entertainment, while Wansheng Black Mountain Valley hosts the Starry Sky Food Culture Music Festival.

Chongqing added 3C digital products to its retail subsidy list for the first time, spurring sales. In the first half of 2025, sales of communication devices, home appliances, and audio-visual equipment rose 31.9% and 6.5%, adding 1.5 percentage points to overall retail growth.

Chongqing's total retail sales reached 830 billion yuan from January to June, up 4.5% year-on-year and 0.7 percentage points higher than last year. It is the leader among all five international consumption centers.

"We'll continue to upgrade commercial spaces, create new consumption scenarios, enhance offerings like debut economy, and improve inbound payment and tax refund services to unlock more consumption potential," said Wang Shunhui, director of the Operation Promotion Division, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce.