China is experiencing a sharp rise in foreign tourist arrivals following major changes to its visa policies. Nationals from 74 countries are now permitted to visit the country without a visa for up to 30 days — part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, economic recovery, and international outreach.

According to the National Immigration Administration, more than 20 million international travelers entered China without a visa in 2024 — more than twice the number recorded in the previous year. These visitors made up almost one-third of all international arrivals.

The influx comes after China began reopening its borders to tourists in 2023, following years of strict pandemic-related travel curbs. However, numbers that year remained modest, with only 13.8 million international visitors — less than half of the 31.9 million recorded in 2019, before the pandemic hit.

In a bid to encourage tourism from Europe, China rolled out visa waivers in late 2023 for travelers from countries such as France, Germany, and Italy. By July 16 this year, Azerbaijan is set to join the list, bringing the total number of visa-free nations to 75. Most of these agreements are currently being run as one-year pilot programs.

New visa-free access has also been granted to several countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. However, major African nations are still not part of the list.

The changes reflect China’s push to reassert its global presence and economic appeal by making travel easier for tourists and business visitors alike.