Riding rising wave of arrivals, China's guides give tourists the local edge

Dan Niu, once confined to a cubicle crunching numbers at a Shanghai bank, now spends weekdays cycling through the city's alleyways, leading foreign tourists past steamed bun stalls and hidden galleries tucked away off the beaten path.

"On our rides, we can stop anytime to chat with people at breakfast spots, or dance with retirees in public squares," says Dan, whose cycling tours give international travelers a half-day glimpse into everyday Shanghai, far from the usual tourist trail.

Dan's career shift reflects the travel boom in China, partly fueled by visa-free policies. China has introduced unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, and offers 240-hour transit visa-free arrangements to another 54 countries.