[Source/Observer Network Wang Yong Editing/Zhao Qiankun]
The latest data released by the National Immigration Administration showed that in the first quarter of 2025, the national immigration management agencies cumulatively inspected 163 million inbound and outbound travelers, an increase of 15.3% year-on-year. Among them, 17.437 million were foreign travelers, up 33.4% year-on-year. This growth highlights the increasing attention from around the world to China as a popular tourist destination.
"China Travel" Attracts Global Tourists' Attention
A recent report by international tourism industry media "Travel and Tourism World" stated that with the continuous rise in the popularity of "China Travel," more foreigners are visiting China and experiencing it. China's steady progress in visa exemption policies, ongoing simplification of visa application procedures for coming to China, and particularly the recently introduced "immediate tax refund upon purchase" convenience measures have made "traveling and shopping in China" a new hotspot on overseas social platforms.
The report mentioned that in 2024, Chinese authorities allowed citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to enter visa-free, with the maximum stay extended from 15 days to 30 days, making it easier for more foreigners to visit China.
Foreign travelers are going through customs procedures at Haikou Meilan International Airport. Guangming Network
China's charming natural landscapes and historical heritage have attracted countless foreign tourists. The ancient and magnificent Great Wall of China, majestic mountains, beautiful rivers and lakes, modern metropolises, adorable giant pandas, and a rich variety of Chinese cuisine have "firmly captured the hearts of every traveler."
On overseas social media platforms, the topic of "China Travel" has consistently been very popular. An increasing number of foreign tourists are sharing their experiences online, which makes more foreigners eager to learn about China and explore it.
The website Pakistan The Express Tribune reported that international influencer "IShowSpeed" presented the charm of traditional Chinese culture, the vitality of Chinese youth, and the atmosphere of Chinese cities through real, unedited, and unfiltered live broadcasts, sparking global discussions.
The report mentioned that before going to China, "IShowSpeed" told his fans in a video, "I will go to China for a trip and tell you about China. I may stay in China for one or two weeks. China is vast, and I will visit many cities to truly explore Chinese culture and provide immersive live broadcasts. China is a big country, and I must do many live broadcasts in their cities; I cannot miss anything."
The report noted that "IShowSpeed's" trip to China became a cultural "sensor" on the international internet, allowing the world to rediscover China.
Related information shows that the 20-year-old "IShowSpeed" came to China for a trip at the end of March this year and conducted multiple live broadcasts in Beijing, Shanghai, Henan, Chengdu, Chongqing, and other cities. Tasting douzhi, savoring stinky tofu, jumping around being overwhelmed by spicy hotpot, doing somersaults on the Great Wall in a "flowered suit jacket and suit," experiencing "Golden Bell Cover" at Shaolin Temple, and being awestruck by the "8D magical city"..."IShowSpeed" immersed himself in Chinese culture and modern technology during his live broadcasts, piquing the interest of numerous overseas netizens in Chinese food, culture, and technological development, breaking through the information cocoon about China's perception in Western countries. Netizens called his live broadcasts a "Marco Polo travelogue in the digital age."
"China is Embracing the World with a More Open Attitude"
According to reports from the Emirates News Agency, with the growing interest of the international community in traditional Chinese culture and under the strong impetus of flexible visa policies, the Chinese cultural tourism market has shown significant growth momentum. China's transit visa exemption policy provides foreign tourists with longer stay times and broader activity spaces, effectively promoting the continuous rise of the inbound tourism market. An increasing number of international tourists have left comments online saying, "China is embracing the world with a more open attitude, and traveling to China has become an unforgettable experience not to be missed."
Data from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism showed that in the first quarter, Beijing received 891,000 inbound tourists, up 61.3% year-on-year. More foreign tourists are shifting from pure sightseeing tours to deeper experiential tours. In addition to the eight world cultural heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, emerging tourism products like "Strolling in Beijing," "Riding Along the Central Axis," industrial tourism, intangible cultural heritage experiences, Universal Studios, Pop Mart, and free half-day tours for international transit passengers have also been welcomed by overseas tourists.
Foreign tourists are taking photos on the streets of Beijing. Guangming Network
Related information shows that the continuous release of entry policy benefits has driven passenger growth. Travelers from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and other countries have significantly increased, becoming important drivers of inbound passenger growth. Since March 1, 2025, the total number of people entering and exiting through Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport port has exceeded 480,000, with the main incoming foreign passengers coming from South Korea, Japan, the United States, Thailand, Australia, and Canada.
Singapore's Straits Times reported that after China allowed foreign tour groups (two or more people) organized by domestic travel agencies to enter visa-free via cruise ships, the number of overseas tour groups arriving by cruise ship has significantly increased.
In particular, the "suction effect" released by China's 240-hour transit visa exemption policy has further enhanced the attractiveness of international tourists, with an increasing number of international tourists choosing to come to China by cruise ship.
Related information shows that in the first quarter, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Port handled 78 cruise calls and received 480,000 tourists. The plan for the second quarter is to dock 56 cruises, up 24% year-on-year; for the entire 2025, there are plans to dock 225 cruises, up 10% year-on-year.
In the first quarter of this year, Xiamen Port welcomed five visiting cruise calls, cumulatively receiving nearly 3,000 foreign tourists.
This year, Tianjin Port has inspected over 50,000 inbound and outbound (port) personnel and nearly 30 cruise ships, with expectations that Tianjin International Cruise Home Port will receive 90 inbound and outbound (port) cruise ships in the first half of 2025.
Data statistics from Shandong Border Inspection General Station show that in the first quarter, 84,000 Korean nationals entered visa-free, accounting for 83.1% of all visa-free foreign travelers. A total of 12,000 cruise passengers and crew members were inspected, up approximately 180% year-on-year compared to the first quarter of 2024.
According to data provided by Trip.com to Observer Network, in the first quarter of this year, actual passenger flights on international and regional routes exceeded 200,000 flights, up more than 22.9% year-on-year; civil aviation passenger traffic exceeded 20 million, up more than 31.8% year-on-year.
Driven by regional visa exemption policies, Southeast Asia's market has grown significantly. The combined passenger traffic from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore was up about 13.8% year-on-year, accounting for approximately 26.4% of total international route passenger traffic.
As European and American routes gradually increase and business demand drives, long-haul routes to Europe and America continue to recover. Civil aviation passenger traffic between China and Europe and America exceeded 1.528 million, up about 38.4% year-on-year. Airline inbound passenger traffic exceeded 9.321 million, up more than 28.2% year-on-year. Inbound passengers mainly came from Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam, with 30.1% of arrivals from Japan and Thailand. Notably, Shanghai Pudong Airport, as an international aviation hub, saw its inbound passenger traffic increase by approximately 29.7% year-on-year, highlighting its core position in the international transfer market.
The report by The Straits Times mentioned that experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese culture, feeling humanistic landscapes and folk customs, and experiencing the interplay of fashion and tradition have become the secret to attracting foreign tourists.
"China Travel" Attractiveness Continues to Increase
The report by Travel and Tourism World pointed out that China is continuously expanding its visa-exempt "circle of friends," optimizing entry policies, and continuously striving in tourism infrastructure and preferential measures. These efforts will further highlight its strong tourism appeal. The report mentioned that on April 21, China announced plans to increase cultural and tourism public welfare activities, promote inbound tourism, carry out civilized tourism activities, and optimize the consumption environment. It plans to invest over 1 billion yuan in public welfare subsidies and support more than 6,000 local public welfare measures, continuously enhancing the accessibility and attractiveness of Chinese tourism for both domestic and international tourists.
Foreign tourists are using mobile payments in Chengdu. Guangming Network
Observer Network learned that with the launch of the "May 19 China Tourism Day" theme month activities on April 21, scenic spots, travel agencies, hotels and guesthouses, and theater troupes will launch ticket discounts, discount packages, and joint ticket promotional activities. Participating units include industry associations, railways, airlines, telecommunications operators, financial institutions, OTA platforms, e-commerce platforms, transportation platforms, and media organizations.
Deputy Director Li Xiaoyong of the Market Management Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that efforts will continue to enhance the facilitation level of inbound tourism, enrich the supply of inbound tourism products, widely carry out "Hello! China" national tourism image promotion work globally, and continue to promote the development of inbound tourism. Efforts will be made to enhance the influence of China's tourism resources internationally, convey to various countries the message that China welcomes global tourists, and further improve the international reputation and good name of China's cultural and tourism brand.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496786334531584522/
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