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Visa‑free policies draw more Greek tourists to China

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Visa‑free policies draw more Greek tourists to China

2026-08-02 16:56 Last Updated At:17:59

As China introduces traveler‑friendly visa‑free and transit policies, more visitors from Greece are choosing China as a destination, according to Greek tourism operators.

Data from the National Immigration Administration showed that foreign arrivals to China reached 22.914 million in the first half, up 20.4 percent from a year earlier.

Maria Kavadia, Manager of Cosmorama Travel Greece, reported a significant rise in tourists joining tour groups to China since the start of this year.

"Comparing the numbers now from last year to this year, I can say that we have a double number, about 3,000 to 4,000 people travels to China every year," said Kavadia.

Maria believes the growing popularity of China among Greek tourists stems not only from convenient policies such as transit visa exemptions and direct flights, but also from the country’s unique scenery, rich cultural heritage, and world‑leading scientific and technological development.

"Greek people, they have a long history, so they appreciate that China has also a very long history. Greek people, they love China, because of the history, because of the culture, because of the important side that they see there, but nowadays, like the big cities. So, they come back really delighted," she said.

Analysts note that tourism continues to occupy a central place in China‑Greece economic relations, serving as a bridge for mutual understanding and exchanges.

Visa‑free policies draw more Greek tourists to China

Visa‑free policies draw more Greek tourists to China

Chinese crested terns, one of the world's rarest seabird species, have been recorded in coastal wetlands in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, for a seventh consecutive year.

Bird photographers captured images of the critically endangered birds on July 23 and 24, with sightings this season reported to be more frequent than in previous years.

With a global population of just over 200, the Chinese crested tern is under China's highest level of national protection. Its rarity and elusive nature have earned it the nickname "the mythical bird" in the country.

The species breeds mainly on uninhabited islands off the coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces in east China. Between July and September, some birds stop in Nantong's coastal wetlands to rest and feed during their seasonal migration.

The repeated sightings underline the role of Nantong's wetlands as a stopover site for rare migratory birds, as Jiangsu continues efforts to restore wetland habitats.

Rare Chinese crested terns return to east China wetland for seventh year

Rare Chinese crested terns return to east China wetland for seventh year

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