On China’s National Day, October 1, foreign tourists flock to the iconic Forbidden City in Beijing in 2024.

Travel broadens the mind. And now travelers can broaden their minds by exploring the amazing geographical, cultural and culinary diversity that China offers, facilitated by the new visa-free transit policy. 

With visitors from 54 countries now able to stay in China for 10 days in transit without a visa and travel further in the country, “China travel” has gained new traction. Only half an hour after the new policy was announced on December 17, 2024, searches for Chinese destinations on Trip.com spiked by 85 percent in Europe, 163 percent in the Americas, and 116 percent in the Asia-Pacific region. 

“China travel” has become a buzzword on overseas social media, with visitors telling their stories. A British family shared their experience in Guangdong Province in south China, marveling at how convenient the trip was, and how safe! Korean visitors strolled in Shanghai’s prime tourist destination, the Yuyuan Garden, wearing hanfu, traditional Chinese clothes. There were videos galore on Chinese food, with exclamations over how varied and colorful one country’s cuisines can be. The cherry on top was the encounter with China’s hi-tech and high-speed advancements, which wowed visitors. 

With the Spring Festival holiday triggering further travel rush, in this issue’s Special Report we bring to you details of the visa-free transit policy, experts’ analysis of the new fad it has triggered, and foreigners’ first-hand experiences in China.