BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- On her first trip to China, 22-year-old Isabel from Switzerland planned a packed three-week journey to immerse herself in the country's stunning scenery and dynamic culture.
"I am trying to do a lot," said Isabel. Her itinerary includes the national capital Beijing in the north, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in central China, and south China's Yangshuo County, a place known for its river landscapes and folk songs.
Together with friends, Isabel is exploring local lifestyle options by trying out shared bikes, using mobile apps to pay for everything from meals to transportation, and hopping on high-speed trains to travel across provinces. "Everything is very nice and organized," she said.
"China's 30-day visa-free policy was part of my decision to come here," Isabel revealed. "It is very convenient." She added that the arrival process in China was smooth and easy. "At the airport, we just filled out one form, and that's all."
Isabel is among a growing number of international visitors drawn to China this summer by its ease of travel, picturesque landscapes, vibrant urban life and wide range of shopping alternatives.
China's inbound tourism market continues to gain momentum. In the first quarter of 2025, the country recorded about 7.37 million inbound trips by foreign visitors -- up 39.2 percent year on year.
During the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday, a total of 231,000 foreign nationals entered China via the country's visa-free policies, marking a 59.4-percent increase from a year earlier, according to data from the National Immigration Administration.
China has rolled out a range of measures to facilitate visas, payment options and accommodation for overseas tourists. Most recently, the country streamlined departure tax refund procedures to enhance shopping experiences for inbound travelers.
At WF Central, a luxury mall in Beijing's popular Wangfujing shopping street, a large banner promoting the "refund-upon-purchase" tax service hangs prominently in the central atrium. This service is now available at nearly 40 international brands in the mall.
Alice, a tourist from the United States visiting her family in China, applied for a tax refund immediately after purchasing a watch. She went to the service counter on the third floor, presented her passport along with shopping and departure details, and received her refund within minutes.
"This is my first time buying luxury goods in China," said Alice, currently on her fourth visit to the country. "The service is convenient and helpful."
"I really enjoy shopping in China," she added. "Clothing is my favorite. Some designs are very trendy, while others have a distinctly Chinese style."
Amid the growing popularity of travel to China, the phrase "bring an empty suitcase to China" has been trending widely on international social media. Millions of posts now share shopping tips and highlight popular buys among foreign visitors.
Experts said the rising appeal of "shopping in China" underscores the country's shift from a manufacturing base to a center of innovation and original design.
Notably, in Huaqiangbei in south China's Shenzhen, drones and other digital gadgets have become must-buy items for foreign visitors, and are seen as local specialties of this Guangdong Province city. In Guanqian Street of Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, silk and ceramics infused with modern aesthetics are driving a renewed wave of interest in Chinese-style fashion, while the Yiwu International Trade Market, also located in east China, is often referred to as the "world's supermarket," thanks to its wide variety of affordable goods.
At the recent ITB China, a trade fair focused on the Chinese travel market, many foreign participants could be seen eagerly networking and exploring business opportunities. The expo drew more than 700 exhibitors and over 1,400 invited buyers from 85 countries and regions.
Antonella Rodogno, a participant from Spain, said she expected to build partnerships with more Chinese industry peers. "In the past, Spanish tourists mostly traveled within Europe or to Latin America, but interest in China has been growing," she noted. "The visa-free policy makes it easy for us to pack up and go."
As of early June 2025, China had unilaterally granted visa-free entry to 43 countries, signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries, and offered 240-hour visa-free transit to travelers from 54 countries.
Chen Nanjiang, a tourism expert at the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said travel in China is evolving with several emerging trends, including more diverse travel routes, flexible itineraries, deeper cultural engagement, tech-driven experiences and closer integration with related industries.
In response to shifting inbound tourism demand, cities across China are expanding their offerings, rolling out new ways for visitors to explore the country.
Beijing recently launched "New Discoveries in Beijing," a set of ten themed travel routes for international tourists -- featuring options such as local food tours and stargazing hikes. In Jingdezhen in east China's Jiangxi Province, learning to craft traditional porcelain has become a popular experience, while Harbin in northeast China is drawing foreign tourists via its industrial heritage.
25省份出台预制菜发展标准 上下游行业等待“国标”出台 预制菜行业进入发展的快车道。 从2020年开始，预制菜概念逐渐走入大众视野，市场规模不断扩大。截至2022年，预制菜市场规模已突破4000亿元。到了2023年，政 春节假期武铁发送旅客511万人次 中新网武汉2月18日电 (记者 张芹)记者18日从中国铁路武汉局集团有限公司(以下简称“武铁”)获悉，2024年春节假期，武铁共发送旅客511万人次。1月26日至2月17日，武铁共发送旅客1273. 中新经纬2月18日电 “长三角铁路”微博18日消息，截至2月17日，2024年春节假期正式落下帷幕，长三角铁路假期8天发送旅客逾1700万人次，日均发送旅客在215万人次以上，较2019年同期增幅超六成。2月18日(正月初九)是假期后的 吃不完，根本吃不完！已经是年后的第三个工作日了。从全国各地陆续返回工位的人们，依然能回忆起被某种春节限定美食支配一整个假期的恐惧。“各省都有自己的噩梦”这个热搜年前就火了，但只有经历过“每 新华社记者周义在福建省莆田市，“无忧电工”培训班的出现，为当地残障人士拓宽了就业渠道。“兼职电工，我的月收入平均增加1000多元。”通过培训获得电工证的第二批“无忧电工”梁志忠说话间难掩喜悦之情 2023年北京高精尖产业新设市场主体占比提升至66.1% 中新网北京2月22日电 (记者 吕少威)京津冀协同发展十年来，北京科技、商务、文化、信息等高精尖产业新设市场主体占比由2013年的40.7%上升至2023年的66.1%。 。本文链接：China Focus: Global visitors embrace China's diverse charms, visa-free policieshttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-57735-0.html
声明：本网站为非营利性网站，本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献，不代表本站观点，本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼，请大家谨防诈骗！若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系，我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇： Chinese smart translation glasses facilitate cross-cultural dialogue
下一篇： China Focus: 2025 gaokao sees high-tech vigilance meet human care