China’s inbound tourism has witnessed a remarkable surge, recording 14.64 million inbound trips by foreigners in the first half of 2024—a 152.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the National Immigration Administration.
This significant growth is attributed to China’s expansion of its visa-free “circle of friends” and the implementation of favorable conditions catering to international travelers.
Expansion of Visa-Free Policies
An increasing number of countries have been added to China’s visa exemption list. In November 2023, China initiated a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six countries. By March this year, six additional European countries were included.
In late January, China and Thailand signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption, which came into effect on March 1. Furthermore, in May, China extended visa exemption entry for citizens from 12 countries on short-term visits until the end of 2025.
The visa-free policy has encouraged a greater flow of people traveling between China and the world. For instance, according to the Geneva office of Air China, 6,364 passengers traveled between Geneva and Beijing in March 2024 following the commencement of the visa exemption policy, marking a 374.9 percent increase from the previous year.
Facilitating International Travel
China has implemented numerous reform measures to make traveling within the country easier for international visitors. In January, China introduced measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals for business, education, and tourism, including a relaxation of port visa application requirements.
Efforts have also been made to streamline payment processes for foreign travelers. In March, China released guidelines to optimize payment services using bank cards, promote cash use, and facilitate mobile payments.
Major payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay now allow foreign users to link their international credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard. Additional payment facilities, along with guides and instructions, have been introduced in scenic spots, shops, metro stations, and hotels.
Global Engagement through Social Media
These policies and measures are designed to help foreigners journey through China and experience the country firsthand. Many tourists share their travel vlogs on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, offering fresh perspectives and allowing the world to discover China anew.
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China's inbound tourism booms as more foreigners come to visit
cgtn.com
