On August 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration released its one-year report card: Since the unilateral visa-free policy was implemented for 38 countries on August 16, 2024, a total of 20.115 million visa-free entries have been processed at ports across China, an average of 55,000 per day, a significant year-on-year increase of 112.3%. The four major aviation hubs of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have become "traffic gateways," with Shanghai Pudong exceeding 970,000 visitors in a single month, a record high.
At Pudong's Terminal 2, reporters observed 20 "tidal" border control lanes fully operational, allowing South Korean backpacker Jeong Jiazhen to clear customs in just 45 seconds. The phrase "flying to China for a trip after work on Friday, returning to Seoul for work on Monday" has become a trending topic on social media. The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism has capitalized on this opportunity by launching a "72-Hour Highlights Tour," combining the Bund's nightscape, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, and the Tesla Gigafactory into a "nighttime + trendy technology" itinerary. Online bookings from overseas tourists surged 130% month-over-month.
Dai Bin, President of the China Tourism Academy, stated that the visa-free policy is transforming "one-time sightseeing" into "multiple, in-depth experiences." According to Ctrip, from January to July 2025, 46% of foreigners visited China more than twice, with the average length of stay increasing from 4.2 days to 6.8 days. Payment systems are also being upgraded: 80% of Beijing taxis now accept foreign-card QuickPass, and 100% coverage of 5G mobile POS stations on Nanjing Road in Shanghai has been achieved, making "China Tourism" truly accessible, even for buying a bottle of water.
Policy measures are expected to continue to strengthen. Authoritative sources have revealed that starting in the fourth quarter of 2025, the visa-free stay period will be further extended from the current 30 days to 45 days, with eight new major airports, including Kunming, Changsha, and Harbin, becoming eligible ports. It is foreseeable that monthly inbound arrivals from "China Tourism" will reach 2.5 million by the end of the year, making it the fastest-growing large-scale destination market in the world.