VI
EN
China's open visa policy has ignited a passion for exploration among global travelers, especially during the recent Lunar New Year, creating an unprecedented travel craze. Instead of struggling with cumbersome procedures and lengthy waiting times, international tourists can now comfortably travel to the country of over a billion people, witnessing firsthand magnificent wonders such as the Great Wall winding through towering mountains and the majestic Forbidden City.
During the recent Lunar New Year holiday, China witnessed an unprecedented tourism boom, with a surge in tourist numbers compared to the previous year. According to statistics from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, travel bookings increased by 203% year-on-year. This impressive figure demonstrates the strong appeal of this populous nation to tourists worldwide.
China's relaxed visa policy created a tourism boom during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.
This spectacular growth is largely due to China's actively expanding visa-free policy. Instead of having to go through complicated and expensive visa application procedures, tourists from many countries can now easily travel to China, explore famous landmarks, learn about its ancient culture, and enjoy its distinctive cuisine.
Meanwhile, Subramania Bhatt, CEO of China Desk Tourism Marketing Company, shared a noteworthy piece of information: bookings from international tourists, who do not hold Chinese passports, for holidays in 2025 have surged 70% compared to 2024. This demonstrates the significant interest of international tourists in China and forecasts a promising 2025 for the tourism industry of this populous nation.
Mr. Bhatt also revealed that during the recent Lunar New Year holiday, the top five countries with the most tourists visiting China were South Korea, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Canada. These are key tourism markets for China, and the strong growth from these countries demonstrates the effectiveness of China's tourism attraction policies.
Instead of cumbersome procedures and long waiting times, tourists from many countries around the world can now easily travel to the country with the world's largest population.
Shanghai is China's busiest gateway for international tourists, and some establishments in the city have had to turn away customers due to overwhelming crowds. Max Modesti, who runs an Italian-style gelato business in Shanghai's popular shopping district, said his shop was "surrounded by crowds" during the Lunar New Year holiday week. "We had to turn away some customers because we didn't have enough tables and chairs," Modesti said.
This impressive growth is not only a result of a relaxed visa policy but also a testament to the appeal of Chinese tourism. With its long-standing culture, diverse natural landscapes, and rich cuisine, China has always been an attractive destination for tourists worldwide.
The increasing interest of international tourists in China not only brings economic benefits to the tourism industry but also contributes to promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries. Tourists come to China not only to see the sights but also to learn about the history, culture, and people of the country, thereby strengthening understanding and connection between nations.
China's "generous" visa-free policy is being assessed by analysts as a key factor, playing a crucial role in attracting international tourists to the country of over a billion people. Like a giant magnet, this policy has created a tourism "boom," attracting millions of visitors from all over the world.
These policies have provided the impetus for the development of this nation of over a billion people.
To date, China has "opened up" tourism, granting visa-free stays of up to 30 days to citizens from 38 countries. This is a strong move by the Chinese government, demonstrating its determination to stimulate the tourism industry and revive an economy facing numerous challenges.
Data from Qunar, another Chinese travel platform, shows that Chinese tourists have traveled to more than 2,100 cities abroad. That figure marks a 50% increase compared to 2024. Xinhua News Agency, citing Trip.com, another Chinese online travel platform, noted that overseas accommodation bookings, car rentals, and entrance tickets to tourist attractions this year have increased by 70% compared to the 2024 holiday period.
This impressive tourism growth is expected to continue to be a key driver for the further development of China's tourism industry in the future, making a significant contribution to the country's economic and social development.
