China Experiences Tourism Boom: Nearly 9 Million Foreign Visitors Flock in After Visa-Free Policy Launch

China is experiencing a significant surge in international tourism following the implementation of its 240-hour visa-free transit policy on December 17, 2024. In the subsequent three months, the country welcomed approximately 8.885 million foreign visitors, marking a substantial 34.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This surge is attributed to China's efforts to ease travel restrictions for international tourists. The expansion of the unilateral visa-free policy now includes travelers from 38 countries, allowing stays of up to 30 days without a visa. Beijing's Daxing International Airport has particularly benefited, recording over 1 million passenger movements this year, with foreign arrivals up by 67.9% year-over-year. Border regions are also seeing a boost. Mohan, a border town in Yunnan Province, has become a key hub for China-Laos tourism, recently welcoming its first ASEAN visa-free tourist group. Harbin Taiping International Airport in Heilongjiang Province has enhanced its facilities with express lanes and self-service terminals to expedite passenger processing for visa-free travelers.