Visa-free policy boosts 'China Travel' trend

(ECNS) -- As China's visa-free policy continues to expand, "China Travel" has become a hit.

Some bloggers who have traveled to China shared their travel experiences on social media, boosting the "China Travel" trend while further energizing tourist aspirations for China.

Foreign trips grow

Among foreign tourists, Beijing and Hangzhou are popular destinations, according to data from Ctrip, a Chinese travel service provider.

While visiting the Great Wall in Beijing in June, a vlogger from the U.S. created a “city or not city” meme. This term has gone viral since and aroused the imitation by global netizens. It now refers to a place both fashionable and modern.

On the popular term, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning even commented at a regular press conference in July, “We will take more steps to make travel simpler and more enjoyable for foreign friends. China’s always ready to welcome friends from around the world with open arms.”

Simpler transit procedures are bringing an increasing number of tourists into China.

"My friend visited Hangzhou with visa-free transit policy, and he told me that he couldn't fully experience the beauty of China in just a few days, so I also applied for a visa and planned to immerse myself in China travel", said Stephen, a tourist from Germany, when he first tried a boat tour on West Lake in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

From January to the end of July 2024, 49,650 foreign trips have transited via Hangzhou visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 67 times, according to the latest data from the city’s border inspection agency.

China recorded 14.64 million inbound trips made by foreigners in the first half of this year, up 152.7 percent year on year, according to China’s National Immigration Administration.

Expanding the scope of visa-free policy travel　

Behind the popularity of "China Travel", the visa-free policy has played a role that cannot be ignored.

The expanded visa-free policy has allowed ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to enjoy visa-free travel to China with a trial period from December 2023 to date.

As of July 15, China has opened 38 entry ports in 18 provinces, granting 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy for nationals of 54 countries.

Under this policy, inbound travel orders from the 54 nations saw a 28 percent quarter-on-quarter increase in the second quarter, data from Ctrip revealed.

China’s provinces and cities are also stepping up their efforts to promote the implementation and improvement of such policies.

The 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy is being approved at the entry ports of Hefei and Huangshan in east China's Anhui Province. The Yangtze River Delta region is also promoting the implementation of the same policy across the whole region.

Visa-free policy makes tourists visit China whenever they are ready. Most of them visit many places in China in just 144 hours. Their beautiful travel photos and videos easily go viral online, attracting more global people to go on a trip to China.

Improving the experience of "China travel"

With "China travel" popular worldwide, the supply of related services and products is gradually improving.

Governments are optimizing relevant measures to make China travel more convenient for foreign tourists.

According to information from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, some local tourism departments have taken targeted measures to boost China travel.

For example, scenic spots and shopping hubs have set up POS machines that accept overseas bank cards. Departments have gradually promoted the launch of English reservation systems at key tourist attractions and expanded the scope of recognized ID cards.

To meet the diversified demands of foreign tourists and improve travel services, Zhejiang Province has taken full advantage of its cultural features.

Zhejiang held an activity to display the lifestyle during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in April. The activity let actors wearing ancient costumes interact with overseas tourists and invite them to experience incense burning, the art of tea and other crafts of the Song people.

Thoughtful service and distinctive products are designed to provide international tourists with a memorable "China travel" experience.