China: Shanghai's speedy, affordable eyewear looks good to foreign shoppers.

Storyline Shanghai's speedy, affordable eyewear looks good to foreign shoppers Shanghai has long been famous for its landmarks and cuisine, but this summer, a growing number of international tourists are adding something unexpected to their itineraries, prescription eyeglasses. With competitive prices, a huge selection, and turnaround times in under an hour, the city's eyewear industry is going viral on overseas social platforms and becoming a new driver of inbound tourism spending. At Shanghai's glasses markets, international shoppers are now a common sight. American tourist: "Glasses are more expensive in our country, about twice the price. The lens quality here is very good, and the service is fast and professional." Wang, optometrist: "This year, the number of inbound tourists has increased by about 40 percent compared to previous years, especially on weekends. Many of them choose bifocal lenses for both near and far vision." Tong Qingying, eyewear store owner: "We used to mainly serve foreign enterprise staff. Now most of our foreign customers are tourists. The number this year is three to four times higher than before." Although affordability is a major draw for customers, with glasses retailing for between 40 and about one hundred U.S. dollars, speed is also a major attraction. After an eye exam and frame selection, staff cut and assemble lenses on site, and thanks to the city's mature supply chain, a finished pair can be ready in as little as 30 minutes. Claudio marveled, Italian tourist: "Sometime, it's takes about a week to get glasses. Here, in just 30 minutes, you're ready. That's great!" Tong Qingying, eyewear store owner: "Some bloggers post on TikTok. International guests leave good reviews. Big data builds our reputation, and word spreads quickly." Last year, Shanghai's International Eyewear City, a massive shopping center catering to optometry, ranked number five among more than 600 shopping attractions in the city for foreign visitors. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]