Traveling to China is getting easier for foreign tourists, as new rules and procedures cover more regions and ports of entry. These include optimized visa-free policies, convenient access to currency exchange, expedited car rentals, quick purchase of cellphone cards, and more signage in languages other than Chinese.
With the New Year and Spring Festival holidays approaching, there’s no time like the present for travelers to visit and enjoy traditional Chinese culture. China has extended the duration of its visa-free transit policy to 10 days. The previous limit was only 72 or 144 hours. Eligible citizens from 54 countries, who are transiting to a third country or region, can now enter at any of 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions, up from 39 ports in 19 regions.
New destinations now included are places rich with culture and history, such as Guizhou and Shanxi provinces, as well as Zhangjiajie City in Hunan province. Chen Shaoqing, former deputy director of the Shanxi Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted this when mentioning the ancient towns of Taiyuan and Datong, which are noted for their historical architecture. Remarkably, around 28,000 ancient structures lie within Shanxi, some dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
These changes come as China aims to attract greater numbers of foreign visitors. A spokesperson for the Shanxi entry and exit inspection station, Li Feng, remarked, “The visa-free transit policy is expected to attract many more foreigners.” Infrastructure improvements at international airports are also underway to facilitate smoother travel experiences.
During the holiday season, cities such as Datong plan to hold lantern shows and folk performances aimed at enticing both foreign and domestic travelers. For example, at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, new tourist service centers provide currency exchange, car rentals, and cellular SIM cards usable across China. Major telecommunications companies have introduced special phone cards for international travelers with varying durations for added convenience.
According to Huang Yufei, a market manager at an international tourism company, Guiyang received over 50 travel groups from the Asia-Pacific region recently, with most visitors coming from Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The opening of direct flights from Guiyang to Singapore will likely increase visitor numbers from Southeast Asia.
Local tourism officials are optimistic about Zhangjiajie as well, which has always been popular among international tourists. Li Ping, deputy head of the Zhangjiajie tourism guide association, stated, “Zhangjiajie welcomed more than 1.29 million foreign tourists” during the first three quarters of this year, marking an impressive 255% increase from last year. With the new visa policy, he anticipates even more visitors.
“It’s hard to believe there are so many foreign tourists here now — it’s December, which is not typically considered peak travel season,” expressed Li Ping. He noted local preparations are being made to improve service quality, such as enhancing hotel amenities and increasing the number of multilingual tour guides.
The drive for more foreign tourists aligns with China’s broader goals of revitalizing its travel industry post-pandemic. With the introduction of this extensive visa policy bolstering accessibility across the nation, tourist arrivals are projected to increase significantly.
Marking this transformative moment, one tourism industry analyst reported, “China’s new visa policy isn’t just another bureaucratic adjustment — it’s a declaration of intent.” The message from the Chinese government is clear: the world’s most populous nation is excited to showcase its rich culture and heritage, inviting travelers to explore its many diverse offerings.
While substantial changes are evident, challenges remain. Issues such as discrepancies between the international banking system and China's domestic financial networks, alongside persistent internet restrictions, may still deter some visitors. Yet there is optimism within the sector as foreign businesses view these changes, particularly the visa-free window, as opportunities for rapid market assessment and relationship building. The recent surge of interest and infrastructural improvements suggest the tourism future is bright.
China isn't merely opening its doors — it's redefining global tourism for the 21st century. With the nation poised to accommodate up to 50 million international arrivals by 2025, it turns its focus to enhancing soft power and reshaping global perceptions through each new visitor. The dragon is soaring as it rolls out the red carpet for incoming travelers.
