More than 20 million passenger trips have been recorded through Beijing’s exit and entry frontier inspection stations so far this year, the highest level since 2020, local authorities have confirmed.
Foreign travelers accounted for 30 percent of the total, with more than 6 million crossings logged — a 34.5 percent increase from the same period last year.
About 1.86 million entries were made under visa exemption policies, nearly double the 2024 figure and representing 60 percent of foreign arrivals.
Officials said nearly half of foreign passengers traveled as tourists, while others came for business or family visits.
The surge reflects China’s expanded visa-free policies.
By November, Beijing had mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries and unilateral visa-free entry for nationals of 48 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
To streamline border crossings, authorities introduced online arrival cards for foreign visitors starting Nov. 20 and added guidance signs at ports to assist passengers.