Passenger entries and exits through Beijing's ports in the first quarter of 2025 surpassed 4.7 million, marking a 23 percent year-on-year increase, data from the the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection showed.
The release also indicated that the the inbound and outbound trips made by foreign passengers rised 44 percent to over 1.1 million.
"As of March 31, the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection had processed 584,000 foreign arrivals, including over 260,000 visa-free entries, accounting for 45 percent of the total. This represents a 140 percent year-on-year increase," said Li Hao from the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.
According to Li, as of March 31, the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection had handled around 18,000 temporary entry permit applications for eligible foreign travelers. The foreign travelers entering Beijing ports were mainly for tourism, business, and family visits.
In December, 2024, China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced to extend the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the initial 72 hours and subsequent 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days).
Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region.
"This is our third time [in China]. We want to go outside. We want to go to Beijing. I hope that today we will see a lot of cultural places," said a Russian tourist traveling with his family.
In addition, Beijing is also bracing for a surge in cross-border travel as the summer and autumn peak travel seasons approach.
To deal with the rising demand, international flight routes in the city's airports have been further expanded, with the number of daily inbound and outbound flights reaching about 350.
At Beijing Capital International Airport, the number of international destinations is expected to increase to 86, with flight routes linking Beijing to Prague in the Czech Republic, Edinburgh in Scotland, Boston in the United States, Malé in the Maldives, and Tijuana in Mexico scheduled to be launched.
Meanwhile, Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to expand its international destinations to 36, with new routes to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei planned to be launched.
"Summer and autumn are traditionally peak seasons for the cross-border travel of passengers. It is expected Daxing Airport will see daily inbound and outbound passenger trips increase by 30 percent during the peak seasons. In terms of international flights, six new international and regional routes will be added," said Li Siyu, an official working at the border inspection station of the airport.
It is expected that the daily average of inbound and outbound flights of the airport will reach nearly 100, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Li.
Beijing ports see rising inbound, outbound trips by foreigners
Beijing ports see rising inbound, outbound trips by foreigners
