International passengers line up for documents checking at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwest China's Chongqing, July 8, 2025. Photo: Xinhua/Huang Wei.
A high number of foreign visitors arrived at China’s borders in the first half of 2025, driven by the relaxation of visa rules, particularly the expansion of the country’s visa-free travel programs.
Foreign nationals made 38 million cross-border trips to and from China in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.2%, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) reported Wednesday, July 16.
Of these trips, 13.6 million were foreigners entering China without visas, an increase of 53.9%over the same period last year, the NIA reported.
Lyu Ning, a spokesperson for the NIA, attributed the growth to China’s visa facilitation efforts in recent years, saying that its measures have effectively attracted international visitors to the country for travel or business purposes.
China recently signed mutual visa waiver agreements with Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Azerbaijan and extended such waivers unilaterally to nine other countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
The agreement between China and Azerbaijan, which covers ordinary passport holders of the two countries, came into effect on Wednesday. Citizens of either China or Azerbaijan with a valid ordinary passport will be able to enter, leave, or transit the other country without a visa. A single stay must not exceed 30 days, and a total stay of no more than 90 days is permitted within a 180-day period.
Citizens of 55 countries, including the United States and Canada, may visit China without a visa for up to 10 days in transit before traveling to a third destination.
These sweeping policy changes have facilitated travel to China, fueling a surge in online content and interest around “Travel to China,” especially on platforms such as YouTube.
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With the start of the summer vacation season, China has experienced a significant increase in arrivals of foreign passport holders.
Many foreign tourists referred to China’s distinctive and diverse cultural atmosphere as the main attraction. “China and its people are so diverse that I think there is always something more to learn when you travel there,” said American tourist Abigail Mueller.
A couple of years ago, Mueller traveled to cities like Chengdu and Xi’an and visited renowned tourist sites like the Leshan Giant Buddha.
However, one trip was not enough, and Mueller said the opportunity to see China firsthand is always tempting.
“While in China, I will familiarize myself with WeChat, be open to people’s curiosities, and embrace Chinese culture to the fullest,” Mueller reflected. “I would like to go back to China again and visit other cities. I am not sure which ones yet, but [I want] to learn more about regional cultures and practices.”
Immigration authorities across China processed 333 million inbound and outbound trips from January to June, a year-on-year increase of 15.8%, the NIA said.
Authorities are steadily advancing openness and improving service efficiency, it added.
(Xinhua)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SL
