China's inbound tourism is on the rise, recording a staggering 14.64 million inbound trips made by foreigners in the first half of 2024. This marks a whopping 152.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the National Immigration Administration.
Behind this surge is China's strategic expansion of its visa-free \\"circle of friends\\" and the creation of more favorable conditions tailored to international travelers' needs.
More countries have been added to China's visa exemption list recently. In November 2023, China rolled out a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six countries, followed by six additional European countries in March this year.
In a significant move, China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in January, which took effect on March 1. Furthermore, in May, the visa exemption entry for citizens from 12 countries on short-term visits to China was extended until the end of 2025.
These visa-free policies have dramatically boosted travel between China and the world. For instance, Air China's Geneva office reported that 6,364 passengers traveled between Geneva and Beijing in March 2024, a 374.9 percent increase from the previous year.
Additionally, China has implemented numerous reforms to make traveling within the country easier for international visitors. In January, measures were introduced to facilitate business, education, and tourism-related entries, including relaxed port visa application requirements.
China has also streamlined the payment process for foreign travelers. In March, guidelines were released to optimize payment services using bank cards, promote cash usage, and enhance mobile payment options. Foreign users of major payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay can now link their international credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, making transactions smoother than ever.
These visa-free policies and new measures aim to provide foreigners with a seamless journey through China, allowing them to experience the country firsthand. Many tourists are sharing their adventures on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring others to explore China.
Foreign users of major payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay can now link their international credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, making transactions smoother than ever.
