Inbound Tourism Expected to Surge for 2025 Spring Festival

A Surge in Inbound Tourism

As the Chinese New Year approaches, excitement for "China Travel" is buzzing on social media. Foreign tourists are showing increasing enthusiasm to visit China, leading to a projected significant growth in inbound tourism. This is expected to be a major highlight of the 2025 Spring Festival tourism market, according to China Central Television (CCTV).

The newly implemented "240-hour visa-free policy" allows citizens from 38 countries to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit. This has significantly boosted inbound tourism since 2024. Latest data from relevant platforms indicates a 203% year-on-year increase in inbound travel bookings during the Year of the Snake Spring Festival period. This year's Spring Festival holidays are likely to see a record high number of foreign visitors.

There has been a recent surge in tourist visa applications, with the US, Indonesia, and Canada showing the most significant growth. These countries are not included in the list of 38 nations eligible for the 30-day visa exemption.

According to travel platform Ctrip, ticket bookings for flights from the US to China increased by 130% in January 2025 (as of January 19). Hotel bookings grew by 55%, ticketing services rose by 36%, and bookings for leisure activities surged 44 times.

Tourists from around the world are immersing themselves in Chinese culture during the holidays leading up to the Spring Festival. At the Temple of Heaven, a German couple, Juergen and his wife, were listening to a guide explain the history of the temple and share knowledge about Chinese culture. Juergen, an architect, was amazed by the grandeur of the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.

Dylan, a 24-year-old from Ireland, took advantage of the visa-free policy to embark on a spontaneous 20-day trip to China to meet his girlfriend's family and spend the Spring Festival with them. He was surprised by the size, technological advancement, and busyness of China.

Shanghai welcomed over 6 million international tourists in 2024. Preparations for the bustling Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival and various performances are well underway. A Japanese netizen shared his experience of visiting the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival on TikTok, praising the beautiful combination of traditional Chinese gardens and modern lighting.

A university student from Brazil, along with his mother and girlfriend, planned an 18-day trip to China. They visited Shanghai, Chongqing, and Beijing, enjoying the unique flavors of Chinese cuisine, especially hotpot.

"The Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and people's happiness have a huge attraction for foreigners," said Dai Bin, the director of the China Tourism Academy. "Many people are eager to experience Chinese cuisine and participate in daily life with younger Chinese people.