Chongqing immigration authorities reported nearly 2.5 million inbound and outbound travelers in 2025, marking a remarkable increase of 30 percent from 2024.
Among the travelers, more than 760,000 were international visitors, setting a new record for the city, according to data released by the Chongqing Immigration Inspection General Station.
This surge in travel reflects the city's growing status as a vibrant tourism hub, local authorities said.
The top five countries of origin for these visitors were Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea.
Chongqing's airports handled over 18,000 inbound and outbound flights in the year, up 26 percent from the previous year, data showed.
Additionally, over 1 million Chinese mainland travelers transited through Chongqing ports, further highlighting the city's strategic importance in regional travel.
International visitors have attributed this sustained growth to Chongqing's unique attractions and convenient travel options.
"I really like the 3D city and the lights. Everything is on Alipay or Weixin, like WeChat Pay, so I don't need to carry all the cash with me around," said Katharina Zirpel, a tourist from Germany.
"The hotels here are very clean, the metros very easy to work out. Everywhere is clean. The nightlife, especially in Chongqing, is very good," said Anthony Paul, a British tourist.
Chongqing sees remarkable growth in int'l travelers in 2025
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
