On March 16, the large cruise ship AIDAstella from German cruise company AIDA Cruises made its first call at Shanghai Baoshan, bringing approximately 2,200 inbound foreign tourists to China. On the same day, Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas, operating out of Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal as its home port, brought in over 2,600 inbound foreign visitors. The total number of inbound foreign tourists at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal that day reached around 4,800, setting a new record for the highest number of inbound foreign cruise passengers in a single day at a Chinese cruise home port.

As the host for international cruise tourists entering Shanghai, Baoshan District prepared a series of culturally rich welcome activities with distinct Chinese characteristics for guests arriving from countries including Germany, the UK, and the United States. The activities began with a traditional loong and lion dance performance. Accompanied by rhythmic drumming and music, the performers showcased the spirit and vitality of the loong and lion through their synchronized movements, captivating numerous international visitors who stopped to watch and take photos.Inside the arrival hall, featured displays and interactive experiences of Chinese intangible cultural heritage—such as Wusong Dough Figurines, Cai-style Paper Cutting, and Yuepu Bamboo Weaving—offered international tourists an authentic taste of traditional Chinese culture.

Polish tourist Elżbieta said,“Very nice—I think this is a wonderful arrangement.”

To continuously enhance the entry experience for foreign visitors, Baoshan District, in coordination with port support authorities stationed in the district, has optimized customs clearance procedures, improved supporting facilities, and provided more convenient and thoughtful services. In response to the needs of international tourists, the arrival hall features dedicated one-stop service counters for currency exchange, SIM card purchases, and more, along with multilingual volunteers to offer guidance.

A staff member from Carnival Maritime’s Asia Port Operations and Cruise Itinerary Department said:“As we all know, Shanghai is a city rich in tourism resources. It offers not only historical attractions but also very modern ones, which is why AIDAstella has chosen Shanghai as its turnaround port this time. Moreover, with China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy now in place, many shore excursion routes have been arranged for passengers—including local tours in Shanghai, nearby regional trips, and even itineraries reaching as far as Beijing.”

As the 2025 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is currently underway at Gucun Park, Baoshan District has specially launched the “Cherry Blossom-Cruise Link” shuttle service, offering cruise passengers and crew a seamless, one-stop travel experience from the ship’s gangway to the park entrance. The dedicated shuttle is equipped with foreign-language tour guides and in-park services, allowing international visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of spring in Shanghai—witnessing the romantic scene of over 16,000 cherry trees of 120 varieties blooming across nearly 1,600 mu of cherry blossom growing area. This initiative effectively promotes the upgrading and enrichment of cultural and tourism consumption.

German tourist Kaden said, “Seeing these cherry blossoms in Shanghai makes me really happy. The cherry blossoms we see in Germany are relatively small, but here they’re large and beautiful—just wonderful.”

Indonesian tourist Julian said, “I’m very happy—coming to Shanghai has been my dream, and I’m glad to be part of this trip.”

It is understood that Baoshan has been committed to enhancing the international influence of Shanghai as a cruise home port. By adopting a dual strategy of “proactive global outreach + domestic infrastructure to attract investment”, the district is vigorously working to attract more internationally renowned cruise brands to call at Shanghai and encourage more foreign tourists to come to Shanghai for embarking on cruises or visit the city via cruise ships. Looking ahead, Baoshan will continue to accelerate its efforts to build Shanghai into the top destination in China for cruise-based inbound tourism and consumption. The goal is to create a shore excursion experience that is not only enjoyable but also more accessible for international visitors—showcasing Shanghai’s image as an open, inclusive, confident, and vibrant international metropolis.