PHOTO / WORLD
Türkiye grants visa-free entry to Chinese tourists
By Xinhua Published: Jan 03, 2026 11:42 AM
This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2026 shows an electronic display showing information in the Chinese language at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

This photo taken on Jan. 2, 2026 shows an electronic display showing information in the Chinese language at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)


A group of Chinese tourists arrive at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye, Jan. 2, 2026. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

A group of Chinese tourists arrive at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye, Jan. 2, 2026. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)


An aircraft of China Southern Airlines, carrying some Chinese passengers eligible for visa-free entry, arrives at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye, Jan. 2, 2026. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua)

An aircraft of China Southern Airlines, carrying some Chinese passengers eligible for visa-free entry, arrives at Istanbul Airport in Istanbul, Türkiye, Jan. 2, 2026. Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The first group of Chinese tourists eligible for visa-free entry arrived at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye on Friday. (Xinhua)


Türkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday.

Under the new regulations signed by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese travelers will be exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The policy is set to take effect on Jan. 2.

The move aims to strengthen trade and tourism between the two nations. It follows a significant surge in arrivals from China, which has become one of Türkiye's fastest-growing tourism markets.

According to Türkiye's official data, the number of Chinese visitors to Turkey rose 65.1 percent year-on-year in 2024 to approximately 410,000, bolstered by increased flight connectivity and interest in Türkiye's cultural heritage sites.