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.
西安碑林博物馆14日起局部开放 门票不分淡旺季每人次10元 中新网西安1月12日电(记者 阿琳娜)记者11日从西安碑林博物馆获悉，该馆自1月10日起采用低票价运行模式，并于1月14日起仅对外开放孔庙古建筑群区域。 直播电商人才：是“野蛮生长”还是“学院派”培养 在2024年寒假来临之前，北京电子科技职业学院电子商务(京东定向培养)专业的学生，迎来了一次直播实操培训课。 整个教学安排持续了近两周。前4天，由合作企业的老 27亿元票房领跑春节档 凭什么《热辣滚烫》？ 长沙晚报2月17日讯(全媒体记者 宁莎鸥)今年的春节档大战在如火如荼地进行中。截至17日记者发稿时，贾玲自导自演的《热辣滚烫》已获得票房超27亿元，领跑大盘，有望拿到春 区域协调发展，关乎统筹一域和全局、前沿和后方、发展和安全。2014年，京津冀协同发展上升为国家战略。十年来，在习近平总书记亲自谋划、亲自部署、亲自推动下，京津冀协同发展不断迈上新台阶。2024 美国国务卿布林肯近日在参加慕安会时说的一句话，可以被解读的空间很大，也值得深入解读一下。他在回答主持人关于“美中紧张局势正在导致更大的分裂”提问时引用了一句美国俚语，称在国际体系当中，“如 新华社记者高敬“前不久，生态环境部和有关部门印发了指导意见，进一步推进农村生活污水治理。在这份文件中，我们去年提出的科学统筹规划、强化资金投入等建议，都有所体现。”近日，全国人大代表、四川省宣汉 。本文链接：China Focus: Global visitors embrace China's diverse charms, visa-free policieshttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-57735-0.html
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