China’s Inbound Tourism Sees Remarkable Growth.
China has experienced a significant rise in inbound tourism this year, driven largely by frequent visitors. The country’s booming tourism sector is primarily attributed to its relaxed visa policies, notably the 144-hour visa-free policy. This policy allows travelers from 54 countries to enter China and stay for up to 144 hours without a visa for short-term activities.
A tourist from Poland, currently on a cruise in Shanghai, commented, “There is so much to explore in China. Each city has its own unique character and people.”
A French visitor, staying in Yangshuo County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, noted a dramatic improvement in the visa process. He recalled, “A year ago, getting a visa was quite challenging. But now, it’s very straightforward. My children visited us for fourteen days. It was as simple as presenting our passports, filling out a form, and getting a stamp.”
An Italian tourist also expressed a desire for an extended visa-free period. She remarked, “I chose to stay for three weeks because China is so vast. In three weeks, you barely scratch the surface.”
According to recent statistics, Yangshuo County alone welcomed 149,900 foreign visitors from January to June this year, reflecting an impressive 709.69 percent increase from the previous year.
On a national level, China saw 17.25 million foreign visitors in the first seven months of this year, a 129.9 percent rise compared to the same period last year. Additionally, 846,000 port visas were issued, marking a 182.9 percent increase year-on-year.