According to the Zhitong Finance APP, on December 17, the National Immigration Administration announced that from December 17, the transit visa exemption policy will be fully relaxed and optimized, extending the stay of transit visa-exempt foreigners in the country from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours. The official account of the Qunar platform stated today that this year the booking volume of domestic flight tickets by travelers using non-Chinese passports has increased nearly threefold compared to 2023, with over 10% of foreign tourists coming for a second visit.

The article mentions that, after this policy optimization, 21 new entry and exit ports will be added for transit visa-exempt individuals, including Shanxi Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, Jiangsu Wuxi Sunan Shuofang and Yangzhou Taizhou International Airports, Zhejiang Wenzhou Longwan and Jinhua Yiwu International Airports, Anhui Hefei Xinqiao and Huangshan Tunxi International Airports, Fujian Fuzhou Changle, Quanzhou Jinjiang, and Nanping Wuyishan International Airports, Jiangxi Nam Cheong International Airport, ShanDong Jinan Yaoqiang, Yantai Penglai, and Weihai Dashuibo International Airports, Hunan Zhang Jia Jie Hehua International Airport, Guangxi Nanning Wuxu and Beihai Fucheng International Airports, Hainan Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix International Airports, SiChuan Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, and Guizhou Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport. The number of applicable open ports has increased from the original 39 to 60.

Compared to before, more second-tier cities will welcome foreign travelers. According to Qunar statistics, currently, with adjustments to hotel policies in various places, the supply of three-star and above hotels capable of accommodating foreign travelers in second-tier cities basically meets demand, with these hotels located in major business districts, scenic spots, and transportation hubs, most of which are along subway lines and are conveniently accessible.

Among these ports are tourist destinations such as Huangshan, Wuyishan, Zhang Jia Jie, and Sanya, providing a seamless connection from landing to entering the scenic area.

In domestic tourism, foreigners also prefer to choose High-speed Rail. On the Qunar platform, travelers from the USA, South Korea, Russia, Vietnam, and Malaysia have the highest number of High-speed Rail ticket bookings. The two-hour High-speed Rail circles of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, Sichuan and Chongqing, and Guangshen are very popular, with Jinhua, Nanjing, and Suzhou entering the top 10 popular destinations.

Since the beginning of this year, with the continuous expansion of the visa exemption "circle of friends," it has become more convenient for foreign tourists to travel to China. Qunar data shows that among travelers using non-Chinese passports to book domestic flight tickets, those holding USA, Russia, Canada, South Korea, and Australia passports have the highest booking volumes. There has been a particularly significant increase in bookings for travelers holding Malaysian, Japanese, and Kazakhstani passports, with all seeing an increase of over twofold.

Xiao Peng, a researcher at the China Big Data Research Institute, said: "Nowadays, China has become the preferred transit point for many foreign travelers. Travelers from Japan and South Korea often transit through China to fly to Australia. The visa-free policy provides foreign visitors with the opportunity to travel in China, making China a popular destination for foreigners again. Tourism has become a window for China to showcase itself internationally and engage in foreign exchanges, allowing more people to recognize and understand China and to experience it firsthand."