Beijing (TDI): With summer in full swing, China is seeing a sharp rise in foreign tourist arrivals, as more travelers choose the country for its rich mix of ancient heritage and vibrant city life.
According to officials, more than 1.14 million travelers crossed through Chongqing’s checkpoints in the first half of 2025. Of those, over 330,000 were foreign visitors, a record for the city and a 35% increase from the same time last year.
Beijing is also seeing higher foot traffic. From July 1 to 10 alone, over 171,000 foreign visitors entered the capital, up more than 22% compared to last year.
Shanghai’s airports welcomed over 2.56 million international passengers in the first six months of 2025, an almost 45% jump from the year before.
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Meanwhile, Xi’an, home to the famed Terracotta Warriors, saw a dramatic increase as well. More than 135,000 foreign tourists have visited the city so far this year.
Over 100,000 of them arrived through China’s expanding visa waiver policies. That marks a 290% rise from last year.
To handle the rush, immigration counters at major airports have added staff and streamlined checks. Tourist sites across China are also stepping up efforts.
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In Beijing, guides now offer foreign-language tours of historic landmarks. In Xi’an, visitors can try on traditional Tang Dynasty costumes and walk through immersive cultural setups.
Much of the increase is due to China’s eased entry rules. Nationals from 47 countries now qualify for visa-free entry, and travelers from 55 countries can stay up to 240 hours without a visa under the transit policy.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
