China’s inbound tourism remained booming in 2024. Internet buzzwords such as “China Travel” and “City or Not City” went viral worldwide, propelling inbound tourism to China up by 82.9%.
 

1. According to the National Immigration Administration on January 14, 2025, in 2024, the national immigration management agencies inspected a total of 610 million entries and exits, a year-on-year increase of 43.9%. Among them, there were 64.882 million foreigners, representing a year-on-year increase of 82.9%, respectively.
 

2. Over the course of 2024, as many as 20.115 million foreigners entered China taking advantage of the Visa Free policy. This figure revealed a substantial year-on-year escalation of 112.3%.
 

3. In 2024, 2.597 million visas and related documents for foreign individuals were issued, which demonstrated an upsurge compared with the same period of last year of 52.3%.

The Forbidden City, Beijing

Panda, Chengdu

Throughout 2024, China granted visa-free entry to more and more foreign citizens. By now, passport holders of 54 countries and regions, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand can enter China without a visa and the longest duration of stay has been extended from previous 15 days to 30 days. 
 

Since December 17, 2024, the 72/144-hour visa-free transit has been prolonged to 240-hour and those transit passengers have been since then allowed to travel across the provincial borders in China, which means many more foreigners, including Americans, Canadians and Britons can also travel without a visa to China if well arranging their itineraries.   

See details of China Visa-Free Policy
 

China's natural beauty and rich history have attracted countless foreign tourists. The ancient and magnificent Great Wall of China, the majestic mountains, beautiful rivers and lakes, modern metropolises, adorable giant pandas, and the diverse range of Chinese cuisine have firmly captured the hearts of every tourist.
 

To ensure a smoother travel experience for foreign tourists, tourist attractions across the country have set up multilingual signs. Moreover, mobile payment platforms such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay are constantly being optimized, eliminating the difficulties foreign tourists used to face in payment.
 

On overseas social media platforms, the topic of “China Travel” has always been extremely popular. An increasing number of tourists who visit China share their experiences on social media, enabling more and more people to learn about China and attracting even more to come and explore.
 

Shanghai embodies the essence of a modern metropolis in China, seamlessly blending modernity with tradition. Its towering skyscrapers juxtaposed against traditional buildings, and the vibrant lights of the Bund contrasting with the serene Yu Garden, make Shanghai an irreplaceable destination. The number of foreign nationals entering Shanghai doubled in 2024 compared with 2023, reaching a total of 4.56 million throughout the year.

The Bund & Huangpu River, Shanghai

Mutianyu Great Wall, Beijing

As the capital of China, Beijing serves not only as the political and cultural hub but also as a renowned tourist city. Popular attractions like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven draw tourists from both home and abroad. Notably, the Forbidden City has emerged as the top choice for foreign tourists in recent years. In 2024, Beijing welcomed 3.213 million foreign visitors, about 85.1% of that of the 2019 before covid-19.
 

As a UNESCO-designated World Natural Heritage site and the trailblazing national forest park in China, Zhangjiajie showcases unparalleled natural splendor. Its signature features, the soaring, precipitous peaks and the profound, yawning canyons, endow it with an otherworldly allure. In 2024, Zhangjiajie stood out among numerous tourist attractions and became another favored destination among inbound visitors. Zhangjiajie saw a surge in inbound tourism in 2024, with over 1.83 million foreign visitors, marking a year-on-year increase of 166.3%.

Tianmen Moutain, Zhangjiajie

Terracotta Army, Xi'an

As the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi'an is a haven for history enthusiasts. Ancient historical sites such as the Terracotta Army and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda enable tourists to traverse the tunnel of time and experience the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). In recent years, Xi'an’s food culture has also lured foreign tourists, particularly its distinctive snacks and flavor-filled restaurants. According to statistics from the Xi'an Frontier Defense General Station, in 2024, Xi'an received more than 300,000 inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 145%, far ahead of other inland cities.
 
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