China saw a significant increase in visa-free entries in 2024

China saw a significant increase in visa-free entries in 2024, with 20.115 million visitors, a rise of 112.3% compared to the previous year. This growth in foreign tourism is mainly due to China's improved visa policies, including the expansion of its visa waiver program and other measures that make travel easier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the total number of people traveling in and out of China reached 64.88 million, an increase of 82.9% year-on-year.

During the recent New Year holiday, the number of foreign visitors also grew by 34%. As the Chinese New Year approaches, China encourages more foreign tourists to join the celebration of this important festival, which was recently added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) shared that the total number of border crossings in 2024 was 610 million, a 43.9% increase from the previous year. Of those, 64.88 million were foreign nationals, marking an 82.9% increase. Additionally, China issued 2.6 million visas to foreigners, up by 52.3% from 2023.

One key factor in the rise of inbound tourism was China's more relaxed visa-free transit policy, which has made it easier for travelers to visit. This policy, along with the recovery of travel services after the pandemic and better support for foreign visitors, has helped boost tourism.

In December 2024, China extended its visa-free stay for travelers transiting through the country from 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days), benefiting citizens from 54 countries. This change has made travel to China easier for tourists and businesspeople alike.

Some visitors have already taken advantage of the new policies. For example, Samantha Quinn from Australia mentioned that her family visited Beijing using the visa-free policy. Similarly, people from Japan and other countries are also planning to visit China due to the easier visa process.

Experts predict that inbound tourism will continue to grow in 2025, especially with the upcoming Spring Festival and China's successful UNESCO listing, which will likely attract more international tourists to experience Chinese culture.