China New Consumer Brands: Why Foreign Tourists Are Obsessed with Pop Mart, Haidilao & More in 2026
Key Takeaways
For International Travelers:
- China's new consumer brands like Pop Mart, Haidilao, and Mixue have become must-visit destinations for foreign tourists
- Limited-edition products and exclusive China releases create powerful incentives for cross-border shopping
- Digital payment setup (Alipay/WeChat with foreign cards) is essential for seamless shopping experiences
- Visa-free policies for 48 countries make spontaneous China shopping trips easier than ever
- Popular destinations include Shanghai Nanjing Road, Beijing Wangfujing, and Yiwu "World's Supermarket"
Content Outline
- The Rise of China's Global Consumer Brands
- Pop Mart: From Niche to Global Phenomenon
- Haidilao: More Than Just Hotpot
- Bubble Tea Wars: Mixue, Chagee, and the New Tea Culture
- Why Foreign Tourists Are Drawn to These Brands
- Plan Your China Shopping Adventure
The Rise of China's Global Consumer Brands
When international travelers think of China, they once pictured ancient wonders like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. But in 2026, a new type of destination has taken social media by storm: China's homegrown consumer brands.
From collectible toy stores that sell out globally to hotpot restaurants with theatrical service, these brands have become pilgrimage sites for savvy travelers. The hashtag #ChinaShopping has garnered millions of views on international platforms, with travelers sharing their hauls from Pop Mart, Haidilao, and bubble tea chains that have outperformed Starbucks and McDonald's in global store count.
What's driving this phenomenon? A combination of strategic product launches, social media virality, and China's increasingly convenient visa policies has transformed these brands into unmissable experiences for anyone visiting the Middle Kingdom.
Pop Mart: From Niche to Global Phenomenon
No brand has captured international attention quite like Pop Mart. The Beijing-based collectible toy company has achieved what many Western brands struggle with: genuine cult status among global consumers.
The Labubu Craze
The breakout star of Pop Mart's international expansion is Labubu, a mischievous character designed by Thai artist Kasing Lung. When Thai K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink posted an Instagram photo featuring Labubu, it set off a global frenzy. Today, the pastel-colored collectibles are sought after across Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe.
Why Foreign Tourists Shop at Pop Mart China
Limited Edition Strategy: Many Pop Mart products are China-exclusive or Shanghai-exclusive. Collectors frustrated by empty shelves in their home countries fly to Shanghai specifically to hunt for rare pieces.
Price Advantage: Pop Mart items in China are often 30-50% cheaper than overseas retail prices, even accounting for currency exchange and foreign card fees.
The Shopping Experience: Pop Mart stores in Shanghai's Nanjing Road and Beijing's Wangfujing have become tourist attractions themselves, with elaborate store designs and constant crowds creating an atmosphere unlike any toy shop back home.
Key Data
- 2024 overseas revenue: 5.07 billion yuan ($693 million)
- Year-over-year growth: 375%
- Southeast Asia contribution: 2.4 billion yuan (619% growth)
- US market growth since 2024: 900%
Recommended Location: Pop Mart Flagship Store, Nanjing Road, Shanghai
Haidilao: More Than Just Hotpot
If Pop Mart represents the new wave of Chinese consumer brands, Haidilao represents the maturing of China's hospitality industry. This Sichuan hotpot chain has become one of the world's most recognized Chinese restaurant brands, with over 1,700 stores across 16 countries.
The Haidilao Experience
What sets Haidilao apart isn't just the quality of its hotpot—it's the theatrical service that has become legendary among international travelers.
Free Services While You Wait: Customers enjoy free manicures, hand massages, shoe shines, and snacks while waiting for their table. Some stores offer棋牌, manicures, and even professional shoulder massages.
The Noodle Dance: Watch as servers perform an elaborate noodle-pulling dance at your table, stretching hand-pulled noodles with theatrical flair.
Table-Top Entertainment: For families with young children, staff will juggle, create balloon animals, and provide dedicated entertainment.
Why Foreign Tourists Love It
Cultural Export in Action: Red lanterns, Chinese calligraphy, Guan Gong statues—Haidilao restaurants are immersive exhibitions of Chinese culture. Eating here feels like stepping into a living museum.
Service That Surprises: The level of personal attention—cleaning glasses unprompted, offering multiple napkin changes, remembering birthdays—creates moments of genuine delight.
Safe Choice for First-Timers: With English menus, multilingual staff at major locations, and a reputation for consistency, Haidilao is an accessible introduction to Chinese dining for nervous first-time visitors.
Global Footprint
- Countries: 16+
- Total restaurants: 1,700+
- Cumulative customers served: Over 1 billion
- First overseas store: Singapore, 2012
Bubble Tea Wars: Mixue, Chagee, and the New Tea Culture
While Haidilao has conquered the dining world, China's bubble tea brands are waging their own global expansion. And in 2026, they're winning.
Mixue: The McDonald's of Tea
Mixue Bingcheng might not be the most sophisticated bubble tea brand, but it has achieved something remarkable: more global locations than either McDonald's or Starbucks.
The Numbers:
- Global stores: 40,000+
- Overseas markets: 13+ countries
- Average transaction: $3-8 USD
- Key market strategy: Affordable pricing in emerging markets
From street corners in Hanoi to shopping malls in Kazakhstan, Mixue has achieved what many Western brands dream of: genuine ubiquity. The brand's mascot, the Snow King, has become a recognizable symbol in markets across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South America.
Chagee: Premium Oriental Aesthetics
For travelers seeking a more refined experience, Chagee offers premium milk tea with packaging and store designs that feel like stepping into a Tang Dynasty painting.
2026 Q1 Performance:
- Overseas sales: 178 million yuan ($24 million)
- Year-over-year growth: 85.3%
- Store count: 200+ overseas locations
The brand's success lies in its aesthetic sophistication. Hand-painted tea leaves on packaging, stores with traditional Chinese architectural elements, and drinks named after classical poetry create an experience that feels authentically cultural rather than merely commercial.
Heytea: The Original Viral Brand
Though no longer the undisputed king of China's bubble tea world, Heytea remains a bucket-list destination for international travelers. The brand that pioneered the cheese tea phenomenon and sparked endless copycats continues to draw crowds with innovative seasonal flavors and Instagram-worthy presentations.
Why Foreign Tourists Are Drawn to These Brands
The Scarcity Factor
Perhaps the most powerful draw is exclusivity. Many products are simply unavailable abroad or released in limited quantities that sell out instantly in home markets. For collectors and enthusiasts, visiting China isn't just a nice-to-have—it's the only way to complete their collections.
Social Media Amplification
When videos of Pop Mart unboxings, Haidilao's noodle dances, or Mixue's affordable prices go viral on TikTok and Instagram, they create powerful wanderlust. Travelers don't just want to visit China—they want to experience these specific brands that have become cultural phenomena.
Value Proposition
Even with the 3% foreign card fee on Alipay or WeChat Pay, prices in China remain significantly lower than overseas retail. A Pop Mart collectible that costs $30 in the US might be $15 in Shanghai. This price gap, combined with the exclusive product availability, makes cross-border shopping genuinely worthwhile.
The Experience Economy
More than the products themselves, these brands offer experiences that can't be replicated at home. The theatrical service at Haidilao, the sensory overload of a Pop Mart mega-store, the aesthetic pleasure of a Chagee flagship—these are memories that travelers bring home.
Plan Your China Shopping Adventure
Ready to experience China's hottest consumer brands for yourself? Our expert travel specialists can help you design the perfect itinerary, from Pop Mart flagship stores to Haidilao dinner reservations.
Customized Tours: Contact Sam for Customized Tours
Group Bookings: Contact Lilian for Group Bookings
