China Tourism Update — 19 July 2026
tourism • 19 July 2026
Australia’s visa-free access to China remains valid until **December 2026**, allowing tourists to stay for up to **30 days without a traditional visa**, which has driven a **20.4% year-on-year surge** in foreign arrivals to **22.9 million** in the first half of 2026 [6][9]. Beyond entry rules, several practical updates enhance travel: **Yiwu Airport** in Zhejiang now offers **port visa services** for eligible foreigners with urgent entry needs, allowing visa issuance after landing [1]; **China Southern Airlines** launched a new round-trip route linking **Urumqi (Xinjiang)** to **Seoul via Yantai**, opening a new travel option between northwest China and South Korea [1]; and **China Railway** will pilot **60-day advance ticket requests** on **Beijing–Shanghai routes** starting **Monday, 20 July**, covering over 200 trains [1]. Tourism trends show a strong shift toward **tech tours**, **cultural heritage**, and **rural experiences**, with searches for intangible heritage destinations rising **71%** and foreign visitors increasingly exploring **123 Chinese cities** beyond Beijing and Shanghai [6][7]; new hotspots include **Qinhuangdao** (flight bookings up 2.2×), **Yili** (top self-drive destination, up 6.5×), and craft-focused cities like **Jingdezhen** and **Quanzhou** [6]. Australians should still complete an **electronic arrival card** before or at entry and remain vigilant against **scammers impersonating embassy officials** [5].