Destinations of attraction

In the first half of the year, more than 14.6 million international travelers entered China through various ports, a year-on-year increase of 152.7 percent, the National Immigration Administration reports.

Among them, more than 8.5 million people entered visa-free, accounting for more than 50 percent, a year-on-year increase of 190.1 percent.

The administration predicts that foreigners' enthusiasm for coming to China will continue to rise in the second half of the year.

Miao Muyang, director of the industrial development department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, notes that the comment sections of videos posted by a large number of travel influencers about their experiences in China have been filled with viewers' excitement and interest, which have been magnified by the popularity of the recent video game Black Myth: Wukong featuring Chinese culture and scenic spots.

Since 2024, the country has implemented a visa-free entry policy with 15 countries for 15 days, expanded the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports and 54 countries, continuously optimized payment services, and increased the number of international flights, Miao says.

"These measures facilitate the entry of foreign visitors and allow them to experience the unique world heritage in Beijing's hutong (alleyways), appreciate the blend of Eastern and Western cultures on Tianjin's Wudadao (Five Great Avenues), enjoy the sparkling night views at Shanghai's Bund, and explore the rich historical culture through Shanxi's ancient architecture," Miao says.

He says the Chinese government will continue to tap into China's cultural and tourism resources and upgrade tourism products and services.

"Our goal is to create travel routes and destinations that showcase the charm of Chinese culture and are highly attractive to international tourists, increasing the supply of diverse, high-quality inbound tourism products," he adds.

More efforts will go to enhancing the comfort and satisfaction of foreign tourists in every aspect of their experiences, from dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping to entertainment, he says.