BEIJING, July 15 (Alliance News): China is witnessing a remarkable increase in foreign tourist arrivals this summer, as international travelers flock to its major cities, drawn by a captivating mix of ancient traditions and modern marvels.
The uptick comes amid relaxed visa policies and enhanced tourism services across the country.
Chongqing, with its neon-lit skyline and spicy cuisine, has become a trending destination. American short video creator Thomas Watts, who compared the city to San Francisco “but with spicier food,” invited friends to explore and film the vibrant urban landscape.
Thai student Kittiphume Pannil, on his first visit to China for a university exchange program, described the city as “something straight out of the future.”
In the first half of 2025, over 1.14 million travelers passed through Chongqing’s border checkpoints — a 35% year-on-year increase — with 330,000 of them being foreign nationals, setting a new local record.
Beijing also saw a 22.1% rise in international arrivals from July 1–10, with 171,000 foreign visitors. Robert Alex Barbender from the Netherlands, taking advantage of the new visa-free policy, called Beijing “a video game brought to life,” describing its organized chaos as uniquely mesmerizing.
Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports recorded 2.56 million foreign entries in the first half of 2025, up 44.7% from last year. Meanwhile, Xi’an — famed for its Terracotta Warriors — welcomed over 135,000 foreign tourists, a 124% increase, with more than 100,000 benefiting from visa exemptions. That figure represents a staggering 290% rise in visa-free entries compared to 2024.
To accommodate the growing influx, immigration authorities have implemented streamlined procedures and digital solutions to ease bottlenecks at major checkpoints.
Tourist attractions are also enhancing their offerings: Beijing’s Palace Museum now provides guided architectural tours in multiple languages, while visitors in Xi’an can don Tang Dynasty costumes to immerse themselves in history.
The surge reflects both seasonal trends — summer being a peak travel time for tourists from Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia — and China’s proactive soft-power diplomacy, which includes its 240-hour visa-free transit policy for 55 countries and unilateral visa-free entry for nationals of 47 countries.
