China's Spring Festival is drawing unprecedented international crowds this year, with foreign tourist arrivals in the holiday's opening days soaring 312 percent, fueled by visa-free entry and tax refund incentives, industry figures show.
The Spring Festival, China's most important holiday marked by family reunions, festive foods and New Year wishes, fell on Tuesday this year. The nine-day holiday period starting from Sunday is now in full swing.
According to online platform data, the most popular destinations for inbound travelers include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Haikou, Chongqing, Wuhan and Harbin.
Beijing rolled out ten inbound tourism routes linking landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven and the Bell Tower, where overseas visitors joined intangible cultural heritage parades and explored hutong alleyways for an immersive taste of the New Year.
In Shanghai, traditional stilt performances and fish-lantern parades lit up the historic Shikumen neighborhoods, blending folk customs with modern flair and offering foreign tourists vivid snapshots of the holiday spirit.
An Italian visitor said that it's great to see beautiful shows being spread, offering hope for the future.
Meanwhile, Chongqing’s dramatic mountain cityscape and vibrant consumer scenes are enticing international visitors to linger longer and explore a wider range of experiences.
"Chongqing is incredible, just beautiful sites everywhere and beautiful buildings," said an Australian tourist.
Increasing numbers of overseas visitors are going beyond sightseeing to immerse themselves in Chinese traditions, learning to write "Fu" blessing characters, making dumplings, and experiencing intangible cultural heritage. Many are also sharing their Spring Festival journeys on global social media platforms, amplifying the holiday’s reach worldwide.
Global visitors immerse in cultural experiences during China's Spring Festival
Global visitors immerse in cultural experiences during China's Spring Festival
