China’s tourism sector is experiencing a significant rebound, driven by expanded visa-waiver programs and streamlined entry procedures. Beijing has seen a remarkable surge, with five million seven hundred eighty thousand foreign arrivals, marking a 35% increase from last year. This growth is echoed in other cities like Xiamen and Datong, where new international routes and visa exemptions have opened doors for record-breaking foreign traffic, positioning China as a rapidly growing destination in 2025.
China is experiencing a powerful resurgence in inbound travel, with major cities across the mainland reporting record-breaking jumps in foreign arrivals. New data shows that travellers from around the world are returning in large numbers, drawn by easier entry rules, faster immigration processing and a growing list of transit-friendly airports. The shift marks one of the strongest rebounds in China’s international travel landscape since borders reopened.
Beijing remains a key gateway in this revival. By late November, the capital’s ports of entry recorded 5.78 million international arrivals and departures, a remarkable thirty-five percent increase compared to the same period last year. Immigration officials note that nearly sixty percent of foreign travellers entering the capital have used visa exemptions or temporary permits, signalling how central China’s relaxed entry framework has become to its tourism recovery.
The surge is not limited to the capital. Cities across coastal and inland regions are also witnessing unprecedented momentum. Xiamen in Fujian Province processed more than nine hundred sixty thousand inbound and outbound foreign travellers, the highest figure recorded for this time of year. Known for its maritime heritage and thriving tech economy, the port city is benefiting from convenient sea, land and air links that complement national-level policy changes.
In northern China, Datong in Shanxi Province is emerging as a rising destination. Its international passenger throughput surpassed fifty thousand for the first time, boosted by new direct flights to Moscow and Seoul. The addition of these connections has opened up routes for both leisure and business travellers
Transit policies have undergone a similar transformation. This month alone, ten additional airports were added to the list of ports supporting twenty-four-hour direct transit without immigration checks. This move is seen as a strategic effort to attract long-haul passengers who may be flying between continents. In a further boost, more airports across the mainland now support the two hundred forty-hour visa-free transit rule, allowing travellers from eligible countries to stay in designated regions for up to six days without a visa, as long as they are travelling onward to a third destination. This policy has been particularly popular among travellers exploring multi-country itineraries across Asia.
China’s growing global connectivity is reshaping two-way mobility as well. Figures from the National Immigration Administration show one hundred seventy-eight million cross-border passenger movements in the third quarter of 2025 alone. Of these, more than eighty-nine million were trips taken by mainland residents, reflecting a parallel resurgence in outbound tourism and international business travel. Analysts note that this rise in both inbound and outbound demand underscores a broader regional and global recovery in post-pandemic travel patterns.
Airlines operating within China have also played a crucial role by expanding international services. Carriers have reintroduced several long-haul routes and added new short- and medium-haul flights connecting the mainland to key hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Aviation experts suggest that these connections are not only increasing visitor arrivals but are also helping mid-sized cities join the ranks of China’s globally linked destinations.
On the ground, border control agencies have adopted upgraded systems that speed up processing and reduce wait times. Automated e-gates, improved digital permit systems and streamlined document checks are making travel smoother for foreign arrivals. These enhancements are especially valuable during peak periods, such as major holidays and business travel seasons, when airports typically experience heavier traffic.
Tourism boards in multiple provinces are now preparing for what they expect will be a strong winter travel season. Campaigns are focusing on heritage tourism, festivals, winter sports, culinary trails and scenic routes, all aimed at showcasing the diversity of experiences available across the country. With more travellers entering without lengthy visa procedures, regional destinations—beyond traditional hotspots—are receiving greater attention from global visitors.
The incoming months are expected to see continued growth, especially as more countries join visa-free arrangements and additional airports adopt transit-friendly procedures. Industry observers say China’s approach is reshaping the way international travellers plan vacations, business trips and stopovers, placing the country back on the map as one of Asia’s most accessible destinations.
