Chinese cities have seen an increasing number of inbound travelers as the country extended visa-free access to more countries and gradually resumes international flights.
With the restart of direct flights between Chengdu and Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday, the southwestern Chinese city now operates 49 nonstop passenger flight routes linking destinations outside the mainland on a regular basis.
The return flight 3U3812 from Auckland arrived at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport on Thursday night, marking the resumption of an air route connecting the two cities directly after a four-year hiatus.
There were 256 passengers aboard, and nearly half of them were from foreign countries including New Zealand, Nepal and Italy.
"[It's my] second time [here]. I've been to Chengdu five years ago. We want to do something early in the morning, and enjoy the food as well, which we really loved last time," said Johnston, a tourist from New Zealand.
As international air travel continues to resume, there's a significant increase in inbound visitors to Chengdu.
"The number of foreign nationals entering China through Chengdu Port since the start of this year is eight times that of last year, and more than 50,000 foreign nationals have enjoyed visa-free entry," said Li Weixi, deputy director of the border inspection department of Sichuan General Station of Exit and Entry Border Inspection.
As a gateway to ASEAN countries, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is also benefited from the visa-free entry policy.
Nanning Wuxu International Airport, the region's aviation hub, has launched more than ten international flights to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, as well as Japan and South Korea.
"It's convenient for us. It's very good for the relationship between our [countries.] It's very good for tourists to travel here and Chinese people to travel to Thailand," said Thai traveler Songsak.
Nanning's advantageous location and convenient transport have made Wuxu Airport an important transfer station for tourists. Some people from ASEAN countries will take high-speed trains or flights from Nanning to Guilin and neighboring provinces for sightseeing.
"(I tried) local delicacies including Guilin rice noodles and beer-braised fish. Those beautiful places in Guilin, like the Elephant Trunk Hill, have picturesque sceneries," said a Malaysian tourist surnamed Li.
Since China implemented mutual visa exemption with Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, Guangxi has registered over 110,000 inbound and outbound travelers from and to the three ASEAN countries, including more than 33,000 foreign nationals who enjoy visa-free entry, according to data from the Guangxi General Station of Exit and Entry Border Inspection.
Visa-free policy, resumed int'l flights drive surge in inbound travelers
