As summer begins, inbound tourism has seen substantial growth, with an increasing number of foreign tourists drawn to China’s unique blend of ancient culture and modern vitality. Visa-free policies have enabled them to embark on “impromptu trips” with ease.
American short-video creator Thomas Watts recently expressed interest in Chongqing after seeing social media posts about the “mountain city.” He invited friends to visit this summer, noting: “Chongqing resembles San Francisco but with spicier cuisine and dazzling night views”. Thai university student Kittiphume Pannil also chose Chongqing as his first destination in China, planning an exchange program at a local university. He described his aerial view of the city as “a metropolis ablaze with lights and skyscrapers, like a futuristic wonder”.
Official statistics reveal that Chongqing’s border inspection stations handled over 1.14 million inbound and outbound travelers in the first half of 2025, a 35% year-on-year increase. Among them, foreign travelers surged by 140% to 330,000, accounting for nearly 30% of total passenger flow13. Beijing similarly welcomed a wave of international visitors, with 171,000 foreign entries/exits recorded from July 1–10—a 22.1% rise.
China’s visa-exemption “circle of friends” continues to expand: as of June 2025, unilateral visa-free entry covers citizens from 47 countries, while 55 nations benefit from extended 240-hour transit visa exemptions at 60 ports nationwide. This policy has significantly boosted tourism—data from Ctrip shows a 40.2% jump in Q1 inbound arrivals, with 75% originating from visa-exempt regions. In Xi’an, home to the Terracotta Army, 71% of its 126,000 foreign tourists entered via visa-free channels in H1 2025.
To manage the explosive growth, border authorities have streamlined clearance procedures nationwide. Georgian visitor Georgi Shavadze, touring Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, affirmed: “Visa exemptions ease travel—visa applications are cumbersome”. Dutch tourist Robert Alex Barbender likened Beijing to “stepping into a video game world: bustling yet impeccably organized,” adding, “Friends praised its beauty, and with visa-free access, why not visit?”
Source: China Daily website
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