As the Spring Festival approaches, an increasing number of foreign tourists are arriving in China, thanks to the ongoing expansion of visa-free policies. The surge in visitors is particularly noticeable in southern China, where the tropical island province of Hainan has seen a significant uptick in international arrivals.
Surge in Foreign Tourists in Hainan
Since the start of the Spring Festival travel rush on January 14, Hainan has experienced a surge in inbound and outbound passengers. This increase is driven by cross-border tourism, visitors from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese returning for family reunions.
At Haikou’s Meilan International Airport, foreign tourists arriving from Singapore quickly passed through entry formalities, thanks to the island’s visa-free policies. Many of these travelers are eager to explore more of China.
A tourist from Malaysia shared, “China has numerous travel destinations, and with its visa-free policies, it’s incredibly convenient. I plan to visit other regions of China frequently as well.”
Hainan’s three main airports—Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix, and Qionghai Boao—currently operate 70 international routes, serving Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Europe. It is expected that the number of inbound and outbound passengers in Hainan will reach 62,000 during this year’s Spring Festival, a 50% increase compared to last year.
Increase in Passenger Traffic in Qingdao
Qingdao, in east China’s Shandong Province, is also seeing a rise in passengers, driven by both family visits and tourism just days before the Spring Festival. Mrs. Oh, a tourist from South Korea, expressed her excitement at the ease of travel: “I have never been to China before due to visa requirements. Now that it’s no longer needed, I quickly made an appointment and found the process very convenient.”
Cultural Welcomes in Zhangjiajie
In Zhangjiajie, located in central China’s Hunan Province, the Tujia ethnic group is welcoming many foreign tourists as the Spring Festival draws near. The Tujia people have decorated their homes with red lanterns and organized cultural performances such as folk songs, dragon and lion dances, and the gifting of scarves symbolizing good fortune.
Foreign tourists have enjoyed a range of hands-on activities, including making glutinous rice cakes, grinding tofu, and printing woodblock New Year paintings. A tourist from Uzbekistan shared, “I have just tried making glutinous rice cakes; it is so much fun. I like it.”
In the evening, the Tujia people hosted a festive feast, featuring dishes with symbolic meanings tied to local traditions. The meal also included a local toasting ceremony. A tourist from Germany commented, “We just enjoy the general atmosphere here. People are very nice, and the food is great. This is very interesting to see.”
The evening ended with a lively dance around a bonfire, accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.
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