Shanghai authorities have launched 100 artificial intelligence (AI)-based tourist assistance service terminals across the city to enhance the travel experience for tourists following a surge in visitor numbers during the summer.
These terminals are powered by a dedicated AI agent called Hu Xiaoyou, capable of offering services ranging from real-time navigation and translation to tourist attraction recommendations and ticket bookings. The terminals can also create personalized itineraries for users.
The operator said the terminal's database contains more than 84,000 entries on cultural activities, attractions and sporting events in Shanghai, and is directly linked to 14,000 booking and shopping links.
These machines support 10 languages, namely Mandarin, English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Thai, Russian, and Arabic, and accept payments in more than 120 currencies.
Located at major hotels, tourist information centers, event venues, major business districts, and tourist attractions throughout the city, these terminals will also be staffed with volunteers to assist visitors with additional needs.
The functions of these terminals will be enhanced and their coverage expanded over time to form a city-wide service network, said Zhong Xiaomin, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
As China continues to enhance its summer tourism offerings, Shanghai has emerged as a top destination for foreign tourists embracing the "China Cool" trend.
Official data shows that Shanghai welcomed 5.3 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2026, up 27.82 percent compared to the same period the previous year.
