Shanghai is gearing up to launch Easy Go, a new digital platform designed to enhance the travel experience for international visitors, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government announced on June 19.

Easy Go, an English-language service hub tailored to Shanghai, operates on the online payment tool Alipay. Featuring four key sections — food, transport, attractions and shopping — the platform allows international travelers to access various services during their stay all in one place, according to a statement by the office at a promotional event held in Zhangyuan, Jing'an district.

The platform will consolidate 30 commonly used apps and tools into a single, user-friendly interface.

It will also deliver real-time public service information tailored to the specific needs of international visitors, increasing both convenience and engagement during their stay in Shanghai.

This launch signifies a collective effort to streamline the digital experience for international visitors exploring this vibrant city.

The initiative originated in February during a consultative session hosted by the foreign affairs office, which invited members of the expat community to provide suggestions on improving services for international visitors and residents.

Recognizing the growing popularity of "China Travel" among international tourists and Shanghai's role as a major gateway for inbound travelers, the foreign affairs office launched efforts to address digital challenges faced by these visitors — leading to the creation of Easy Go.

Over the past few months, in preparation for the platform's debut, the office has been collaborating with municipal departments and developers to enhance the English interfaces, functionalities, and overall user experience of commonly used apps to be integrated into Easy Go.

Ashish Maskay, a Nepalese doctor at Shanghai United Family Hospital who participated in both the February meeting and subsequent preparations for the Easy Go launch, praised the Shanghai government's swift response and dedication to addressing the needs of international visitors.

"Shanghai has always been very committed to serving expats — that's just how this city is. It's a cosmopolitan city. I always say Shanghai not only belongs to China but to the whole world," said the Nepalese doctor.

Maskay mentioned that he helped refine commonly used apps on the new platform, such as piloting a navigation app to test its functionality and trying the English version of Dianping — a platform similar to Yelp — to assess the user experience.

Maskay said he believes this platform will significantly ease everyday tasks for visitors: "This super app should hopefully solve all those issues and give those people and the end users a really pleasant experience."

Jessica Gleeson, CEO of Shanghai-based BrighterBeauty, who has been visiting China for the past 25 years, commends Easy Go for its potential to allow international visitors to enjoy a more personalized travel experience in Shanghai, saying "they can seek out different resources to make their time in Shanghai more memorable."

Astrid Poghosyan, project manager of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming launch of this "long-awaited" application platform.

Recalling her arrival in Shanghai in 2009, when she had to explore the city on her own with few resources for international visitors, she called Easy Go "a game changer".

"I'll be more than willing to share it with as many people visiting Shanghai as possible," said the 16-year Shanghai resident from Armenia. "I hope we can spread enough awareness of this application, so that before landing, people will be able to scan and download it."

Authorities expect Easy Go to play a pivotal role in supporting the 2025 "Shanghai Summer" International Consumption Season, a city-wide initiative set to unfold from July to October, offering a seamless and enriching experience for visitors exploring the dynamic metropolis.