The Chinese capital city of Beijing has been offering a free half-day tour package to provide global travelers with insights into China's ancient heritage and modern efficiency, as the country opens its doors wider after extending a visa-free transit to 240 hours.
Overseas visitors have been arriving in China in droves since the country expanded visa-free access to 38 countries and visa-free transit stays for people from 54 countries to 10 days.
According to the National Immigration Administration, ports across the country recorded 9.2 million entries by foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2025, a 40.2 percent year-on-year increase, while trade in travel-related services grew at a rapid pace, with imports and exports totaling 584.9 billion yuan (81 billion U.S. dollars), up 21.8 percent year on year.
Travel services thus became the largest sector within China's service trade portfolio.
At the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site, some foreign visitors interviewed by China Global Television Network (CGTN) highlighted the blend of cultural preservation and technological advancement in their first look at Beijing, remarking on how China's ancient wisdom and modern vibrancy are rewriting their travel diaries.
"It's almost like it's in the air, and with the history and everything you feel just goosebumps," said a Danish tourist.
"I'm super happy that I got to come to Beijing this time and see how amazingly organized the infrastructure is. Everything flows, everything is clean, people are happy, people are friendly," said a visitor from the United States.
"It's quite mind-blowing, the heritage, the diversity which is prevailing here is simply amazing," said an Indian visitor.
At Beijing Capital International Airport, freshly-landed transit passengers can now sign up within an hour of landing for guided visits to the Great Wall, or other UNESCO World Heritage sites along the city's 7.8-kilometer Central Axis, with complimentary transport and entry to landmarks.
Even an eight-hour layover can turn into an opportunity to experience the free layover tour service of Beijing called "Beijing Express", a tourism product launched in late 2024.
Some travelers from Singapore are seizing the opportunity -- making the most of their layover to experience China's history and culture.
"We saw it on the website, that it's a free half-day trip so it is quite eye-catching," said a Singaporean tourist.
"You can see all the stuff like you never see before, unless you come over here and you will get to see," said a tourist.
Even with just half a day in Beijing, travelers were deeply impressed by China, and many said they intend to come back for a longer, more meaningful trip.
For a growing number of international travelers, shopping has also become a key part of their trips and advanced Chinese payment systems have left an impression.
"What I like here is the cashless payment. You don't need cash, it's very convenient, just use your card or your phone," said Danica Gel Fernandez, a Philippine tourist.
"I would recommend China to those people who want to experience the culture of China and want an adventure," she added.
In 2024, visa-free entries surged by 112 percent, with over 20 million international travelers choosing to visit China under the streamlined entry policy.
Extended visa policies, free layover tours captivate global tourists to Beijing
