Chongqing - On January 29, during the "Deputy Passage" interview at the fourth session of the 6th Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, Mi Jia and Lou Chao shared their visions for improving Chongqing's tourism environment, with a focus on welcoming international visitors.
Mi Jia, Deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress and Director of the Management Committee of the Jiefangbei CBD in Chongqing, highlighted the city's efforts to accommodate the increasing number of foreign tourists since the implementation of China's visa-free entry policy.
In 2025, the city saw 2.15 million inbound visitors, marking a 68.2% increase. Mi noted that Jiefangbei, a key tourist area, has been optimizing its infrastructure to enhance the international experience. This includes bilingual signage and volunteer services in popular shopping areas.
This year, Jiefangbei plans to undergo a smart upgrade by developing a service platform for foreign visitors. The platform will utilize big data to accurately meet the needs of international tourists, providing more tailored services, Mi added.
Lou Chao, Deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress and Vice President of iFLYTEK, discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving the tourism experience. AI is being leveraged to facilitate language translation, enabling barrier-free communication for foreign tourists.
Additionally, AI-based services such as itinerary planning and smart travel photography are being explored in select districts. Large model technology is helping tourists quickly learn about attractions and historical sites, with real-time translations making the experience smoother.
Chongqing, known for landmarks like Hongyadong and Chaotianmen, also boasts lesser-known but equally intriguing spots such as Mountain City Alley and the unique "cloud-check-in" views at the World Financial Center. Mi Jia welcomed international visitors to explore the new developments in Jiefangbei, inviting them to experience the changes firsthand.