Foreign tourists dressed in ancient Chinese clothing pose for photos at the Palace Museum in Beijing on April 1, 2026. As China's visa-free policies continue to deliver benefits, a huge influx of foreign visitors has come to China, making the Palace Museum a top tourist destination. Photo: VCG

As the spring-summer travel season begins, we welcome more foreign friends to make full use of the visa-free policy and immerse themselves in the experience of a China that is both traditional and modern, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson from China's Foreign Ministry, told a press conference on Thursday.

Guo made the remarks as the data from the World Travel & Tourism Council showed that China's tourism economy grew 9.9 percent in 2025 — more than twice the global average — and the country is expected to become the world's largest tourism economy before 2030. More and more foreign visitors to China are shifting their travel style, moving from "sightseeing check-ins" to "deep immersion," and from simply "experiencing China" to "integrating into China."

Guo noted that, in recent years, the topic of "China Travel" has remained highly popular, with consistently glowing "buyer reviews." The convenience of "enjoying the ease of travel with just one cellphone in China," the ability to cover 1,000 miles a day through mountains and rivers, and the safety that allows visitors to comfortably enjoy night scenes have all left deep impressions on foreign tourists, Guo added. 

The latest data show that visa-free entries by foreigners in the first quarter of this year rose again, with a year-on-year increase of nearly 30 percent, Guo said, noting that the real China is far more charming than imagined.


Global Times