China's visa-friendly policies boost inbound tourism during new year holiday

China's inbound tourism enjoyed a robust start to the new year, with a surge of international visitors drawn by the country's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, and fueled by more streamlined entry policies.

On New Year's Day, Sanya Phoenix International Airport in the southern island province of Hainan was abuzz with excitement following the arrival of its first international flight of 2026. A group of Russian visitors were greeted not just by warm breezes, but also a vibrant display of local culture.

"So why did I come to Sanya? Because it is a good place, destination to travel, especially for the sea, especially for the good sights, fruits. And for us Russians, it's just a very rare opportunity to see those kinds of beautiful sights. So my parents came here for me to celebrate the New Year and I was just very happy. And the visa-free policy is really good," said Amina, a tourist from Russia.

At the picturesque Luhuitou Scenic Area, tourists from around the world strolled along lush pathways and scenic lookouts, soaking in the tropical island vibes.

Olga from Moldova shared her delight: "It's my second time in Hainan and I really love the sea and I really love the green, lush and tropical rainforest. So it's really beautiful here. It's gorgeous. Lots of trees, lots of flowers. It just gives you this very romantic and very beautiful experience."

In this duty-free hotspot, shopping is also high on many travelers' to-do lists. Popular malls in Sanya are bustling with international shoppers. To further enhance the experience, retailers have introduced translation devices, multilingual menus, and streamlined tax-refund services.

In the country's southwestern border region, Yunnan's cross-border tourism with Vietnam got off to a roaring start in 2026. On Thursday, the first day of the New Year, Hekou Port welcomed 263 Vietnamese tour groups with over 4,300 visitor trips, a staggering year-on-year increase of 415 percent and 535 percent, respectively.

Further west, the snowy landscapes of Beichuan County, Sichuan Province are drawing foreign visitors eager for unique winter experiences. Tourists enjoyed donning traditional Qiang ethnic costumes, joining in lively dances, and feasting on authentic local cuisine.

"It's really an amazing experience Today. The Qiang culture left a deep impression on me. I've already shared photos and videos online with my friends. I plan to stay in Sichuan a few more days to see pandas in Chengdu before going to visit Chongqing and Xi'an," said Marilun from El Salvador.

With China's welcoming inbound travel policies, global tourists are embracing the nation's diverse attractions and vibrant cultural experiences, marking a promising start to the new year for China's tourism industry.

China's visa-friendly policies boost inbound tourism during new year holiday

China's two major power grid operators -- the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) and China Southern Power Grid (CSG) -- reported a surge in investment in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring efforts to strengthen infrastructure construction and support high-quality socioeconomic development in China.

The State Grid said it completed fixed-asset investment worth 129 billion yuan (about 18.77 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three months of this year, up 37 percent the corresponding period of the previous year. The spending has driven more than 250 billion yuan (36 billion U.S. dollars) of investment across the wider industrial chain.

Key projects such as the Panxi ultra-high-voltage (UHV) alternating current (AC) line and the Anhui-Hubei back-to-back direct current (DC) project have seen ground broken for their construction, while several west-to-east power transmission projects have been upgraded.

Investment in connecting renewable energy generation to the grid was reported to have exceeded 10 billion yuan (1.45 billion U.S. dollars) from January to March, a year-on-year rise of more than 50 percent.

The CSG also reported robust growth in investment in the three-month period, with fixed-asset investment reaching 38.45 billion yuan (5.58 billion U.S. dollars), up about 50 percent from a year earlier.

Among its achievements, the company completed and commissioned 80 key projects, including the 220 kV cross-sea power grid interconnection project, which was officially put into operation on March 20. The project ended years of grid isolation on the Weizhou Island in south China by linking it to the main power system of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The construction of 17 other major energy projects, including one linking the power grid of the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China with that of Guangdong Province in south China, is advancing rapidly. These projects are expected to bolster regional industries, the maritime economy, digital collaboration and the transition to green energy.

"By accelerating major project construction, investment during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) is expected to approach 1 trillion yuan (145 billion U.S. dollars), driving a further 2 trillion yuan (290 billion U.S. dollars) of investment across upstream and downstream industries," said Dong Yanle, deputy general manager of the Engineering Construction Department under the China Southern Power Grid.

China ramps up power grid investment in January-March to boost growth