China’s inbound tourism surges with new visa-free policies and improved payment services, attracting millions of foreign travelers.
China has recently experienced a significant increase in foreign travelers, leading to a surge in the popularity of “China Travel” on international social media platforms, as reported by Xinhua-run China Securities Journal. This boom in inbound tourism is attributed to new visa-free policies and improved payment services, making travel to China more accessible and enjoyable for global tourists.
Booming Inbound Tourism
Visitors from around the world are flocking to China, drawn by its rich cultural heritage and modern conveniences. A group of Russian tourists, dining at a hot pot restaurant in Beijing’s Shichahai commercial street, expressed their enthusiasm: “We’re impressed by Beijing’s scenic spots and cuisine. Everyone hopes to explore Beijing as much as possible in limited time.” This sentiment is echoed by many foreign visitors who now frequent the restaurant, which has adapted by providing an English menu.
According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), China welcomed 14.64 million international visitors in the first half of this year, marking a 153 percent increase from the previous year. The China Tourism Academy (CTA) survey revealed that over 60 percent of these travelers were motivated by a desire to experience Chinese culture firsthand.
Foreign tourists are engaging in diverse activities such as exploring wet markets, learning to make Xiaolongbao (steamed buns), and practicing Tai Chi in Shanghai. They are also enjoying traditional Chinese dishes, participating in local square dancing, and visiting giant pandas in Sichuan Province. The influx of foreign bloggers documenting their travels is further promoting China’s high-quality development and cultural richness to the world.
The NIA predicts a continued rise in the number of foreign visitors in the second half of this year.
Favorable Measures and Enhanced Services
The increase in international tourists is partly due to favorable measures such as the 144-hour visa-free transit policy and convenient mobile payment services. In the first half of this year alone, 8.54 million international visitors entered China through visa-free entry, a 190 percent year-on-year increase.
As of July 17, 41 exit-entry ports in China offer the 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policy for nationals from 54 countries. Additionally, starting July 30, travelers from countries with diplomatic relations with China can visit Hainan province visa-free for 144 hours via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao.
Wang Yalei, an analyst with the Ctrip Research Institute, noted that the 144-hour visa-free transit policy is part of China’s efforts to promote high-standard opening up, facilitate international exchanges, and boost cooperation.
Mobile payment services, such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, have simplified transactions for foreign visitors. Tourists can easily register using their overseas phone numbers and link their bank cards for seamless payments. In the first six months of this year, over 5 million inbound travelers used mobile payments, with more than 90 million transactions amounting to over 14 billion yuan.
China plans to further optimize entry policies, diversify payment services, and explore the possibility of granting visa-free entry to more countries, according to a guideline issued by the State Council on August 3.
Increasing Tourism Offerings
To accommodate the influx of global tourists, Chinese provinces and cities are enhancing their tourism products and services. Guangzhou, in south China’s Guangdong Province, offers free one-day tours to international transit passengers, including free buses, English-speaking guides, sightseeing, and lunch. This initiative aims to provide a deeper understanding of Guangzhou and its hospitality.
Henan Province, known for its historical significance and cultural heritage, is leveraging its tourism resources to attract more international visitors. Meanwhile, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is supporting tourism enterprises in launching diverse inbound tourism products and routes, improving foreign language services at cultural and tourism venues, and conducting personnel training.
China is committed to promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism, encouraging the use of technology in these fields, and developing new tourism formats. These efforts aim to provide foreign tourists with immersive cultural experiences and highlight China’s natural beauty and splendid civilization.
As China continues to welcome a growing number of international visitors, these measures and enhancements ensure that travelers can enjoy a seamless and enriching experience during their stay.