Dear all,

Shaoxing, Zhejiang, January 31, 2025— As China continues to relax its visa-free policies, the country has witnessed a notable increase in foreign visitors joining the Spring Festival travel rush, eager to experience its rich cultural traditions.

The Spring Festival travel rush, known as “chunyun,” commenced on January 14 and will continue through February 22. Preliminary statistics indicate that ticket bookings for inbound flights during this period have surged by 47% year-on-year.

In 2024, China further relaxed its visa policies to enhance openness and promote people-to-people exchanges, enabling more foreign travelers and business professionals to visit the country visa-free. A significant development was the introduction of expanded unilateral visa-free entry policies in November 2024, permitting ordinary passport holders from 38 countries to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa. Additionally, China announced a relaxation in its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers to 240 hours, an increase from the previous limits of 72 or 144 hours.

According to Trip.com Group, China’s leading online travel service provider, inbound travel orders from foreign tourists surged by 203% year-on-year during the Spring Festival, with the majority of visitors arriving from the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.

Japanese traveler Kyoko Shimada and her husband, who took advantage of China‘s visa-free policy for Japanese citizens, arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, greeted by vibrant decorations. Shimada praised the smooth immigration process and the availability of multi-language service guide booklets at the airport.

The convenience of high-speed railways has also contributed to this surge. A tourist from the Netherlands remarked that the high-speed railway enabled them to explore more places in a shorter time, thereby enhancing their experience of the unique traditions in different cities during the Chinese New Year.

Since the beginning of the Spring Festival travel rush, Xi’an International Airport has recorded nearly a 200% increase in foreign visitors compared to last year, with a significant portion of tourists utilizing the visa-free policies.

“China’s ongoing efforts to ease visa-free policies have attracted a growing number of foreign tourists, providing them with the opportunity to experience the country’s rich cuisine, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes,” stated Zhu Mao, Deputy Director of the Culture and Tourism Development Commission of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.

**FCM is excited to welcome international travelers and provide unparalleled experiences to make your visit unforgettable. Our dedicated team is here to assist you with all your travel needs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey in China.**

This trend serves as a valuable platform for fostering people-to-people exchanges and deepening global understanding of China.

For more information, visit [Global Times](https://enapp.globaltimes.cn/article/1327643).

Best Regards,

FCM.