Visa-free entry taking China tourist numbers ‘closer to pre-Covid levels’

The visa-free policy now applies to 38 nations, while nationals of 54 countries can take advantage of 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transits.

Wu Liyun, a tourism professor at Beijing International Studies University, said the visa-free entry policy, including the transit-visa exemptions, “will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to China’s inbound tourism, enhancing the country’s global tourism image”.

“There’s no doubt that this year will be the best for inbound tourism since the pandemic, with overall interest in China rising steadily,” Wu said.

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China expands visa-free travel to 6 new countries

China expands visa-free travel to 6 new countries

Travel platforms have reported big increases in searches for Chinese destinations and international flight bookings since the decision to expand the visa-free scheme was announced on November 22.