China boosts international tourism with record-breaking May Day holidays

11-04-25

During the recent May Day holiday, China experienced a remarkable boom in international tourism, marking a milestone in its post-pandemic recovery. According to official data, nearly 10.9 million inbound and outbound trips were recorded, representing an increase of 28.7% compared to the same period last year. Of these, more than 1.1 million were foreign visitors, showing an increase of 43.1 per cent.

This upturn is attributed to a combination of factors, including government policies that make it easier to enter the country, improvements in tourism services and a growing cultural and gastronomic offer that attracts travellers from all over the world.

Cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou maintained their popularity among tourists, while destinations such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Zhuhai and Xi'an also stood out as preferred choices, according to a Trip.com Group report. The diversity of landscapes and cultural experiences in these regions has captured the attention of international visitors.

The tourist experience has been enriched by the ease of navigation in Chinese cities, thanks to the use of mobile technologies that enable everything from real-time translation to hassle-free digital payments. In addition, the implementation of tax refund policies in designated shopping malls has encouraged shopping, with simplified processes enhancing the consumer experience.

The Chinese government has expanded its visa waiver policy, allowing visa-free entry for citizens of 38 countries and extending the visa-free transit period to 240 hours for travellers from 54 nations. During the holiday, 380,000 foreigners entered China under these provisions, representing a year-on-year increase of 72.7%.

Travel industry analysts point out that these measures, together with the country's rich cultural and natural wealth, position China as a top destination for international tourism. The combination of tradition and modernity, together with an ever-improving tourism infrastructure, bodes well for the future of the sector.

The success of May Day tourism reflects China's efforts to revitalise its tourism industry and attract visitors from around the world, establishing itself as an attractive and accessible destination for international travellers.

In collaboration with:

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.

Legal notice