China’s visa-free transit policy drives surge in tourism to regional cities

China is witnessing a shift in inbound tourism patterns as its expanded visa-free transit programme encourages international travellers to explore regional cities and lesser-known destinations, reports CCTV+, a partner of TV BRICS.

Recent data shows that during the Spring Festival travel period, foreign visitors booked flights to 107 cities across the country, reflecting a broader geographical spread of tourism. Instead of focusing on traditional entry points such as Beijing and Shanghai, travellers are increasingly opting for smaller inland cities and culturally rich locations.

Experts believe that the trend highlights growing demand for authentic experiences, with visitors seeking local traditions, natural landscapes and heritage sites beyond major metropolitan centres.

The policy driving this trend is China’s 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, introduced in late 2024 and now available to travellers from 55 countries. The initiative allows eligible visitors to stay in designated regions without a visa for up to 10 days, significantly easing entry requirements.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, inbound trips exceeded 150 million in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 17 per cent. Tourist spending also surpassed US$130 billion, underlining the economic impact of the policy.

As travel patterns continue to evolve, the expansion of visa-free access is not only boosting visitor numbers but also redistributing tourism flows, bringing new opportunities to emerging destinations across China.