The latest data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) reveals a significant uptick in international travel to the Chinese mainland, as visa-free policies continue to drive global interest. During the five-day May Day holiday that concluded this Tuesday, over 436,000 international travelers entered the country under visa-free arrangements, marking a 14.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
This surge highlights the growing appeal and effectiveness of the Chinese mainland's expanded travel initiatives. Currently, unilateral visa-free policies have been implemented for 50 countries, and 240-hour transit visa-free arrangements are offered for 55 countries, significantly lowering the barrier for business professionals, researchers, and cultural explorers.
The overall influx of foreign visitors was equally impressive. Total foreign arrivals during the holiday reached 1.255 million, a 12.5% year-on-year increase. When accounting for both Chinese and foreign travelers, border inspection agencies facilitated a staggering 11.279 million cross-border trips over the five-day period.
Travel activity reached its peak on May 2, which saw the highest volume of border crossings with 2.529 million trips processed. The daily average stood at 2.256 million cross-border trips, representing a 3.5% increase compared to the same holiday window last year.
To manage this high volume of movement, border agencies registered 531,000 inspections of aircraft, vessels, trains, and motor vehicles, a 16.6% increase from the 2025 holiday period. These figures underscore a robust trend in global mobility and an increasing appetite for exploring the dynamic landscapes of the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
May Day break: Visa-free entries to China surge 14.7% to over 436,000
cgtn.com
