Post by : Shakul

China witnessed a major rise in holiday travel during the May Day celebrations as millions of domestic and international travelers moved across borders during the five-day break. According to the National Immigration Administration, nearly 11.3 million cross-border trips were recorded during the holiday period that began on May 1, reflecting growing tourism activity and stronger international travel demand.

Authorities stated that border crossings averaged around 2.26 million people per day during the holiday, marking a 3.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The highest number of crossings was recorded on May 2 as airports, railway stations and border checkpoints experienced heavy passenger movement across several regions of the country.

Foreign visitor traffic into China also showed strong growth during the holiday season. More than 1.26 million trips by foreign nationals were recorded during the period, representing a 12.5 percent increase from the previous year. Officials confirmed that around 436,000 travelers entered China under visa-free arrangements, showing a sharp 14.7 percent rise as the country continued expanding visa-free entry policies for international visitors.

The Chinese government has introduced several travel-friendly measures in recent years, including longer visa-free stays, simplified entry procedures and instant tax refund services for departing tourists. These reforms are aimed at boosting tourism recovery and strengthening China’s position as a major global travel destination.

Tourism data also showed that foreign travelers are increasingly visiting areas beyond the country’s traditional tourism hotspots. Provinces including Heilongjiang, Guizhou, Hunan, Xinjiang and Shanxi reported inbound tourist growth of more than 60 percent during the holiday period. Arrivals from Russia recorded the strongest increase, rising by more than 120 percent compared to last year.

Many international visitors were seen exploring local culture and daily life experiences instead of focusing only on famous tourist attractions. In Jiangsu Province, a tourist from Russia attended local football matches and joined residents in practicing Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese exercise routine connected to ancient medicine and wellness traditions.

In the border city of Dongxing in Guangxi, a young tourist from Vietnam explored night markets, sampled local food and shared travel experiences online. She said she was impressed by the hospitality of local residents and found transportation and urban life in China comfortable and convenient for first-time visitors.

Chinese cities have also introduced new tourism support services to improve the travel experience for international guests. In Beijing, attractions like the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven introduced English-language surveys and AI translation devices to help foreign tourists navigate cultural sites more easily. Other cities including Changsha and Chengdu expanded international payment systems, bilingual volunteer programs and currency exchange services.

Travel experts believe the sharp rise in cross-border travel during the May Day holiday highlights the growing strength of China’s tourism sector and its wider economic impact. Analysts say the country’s relaxed visa policies, improved tourism services and rising interest in cultural experiences are helping attract more global visitors while also encouraging Chinese travelers to explore international destinations through more personalized travel experiences.

#China #tourism #airport #Asia Travel