China Tourism Update — 23 July 2026
tourism • 23 July 2026
China’s latest tourist-facing updates are positive overall: **inbound travel is still growing strongly**, with China recording **22.91 million foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026**, up **20.4%** year on year, according to Xinhua and CGTN.[7][8] For Australian travellers, the most useful practical takeaway is that **visa-free access and transit options remain a major advantage**, with Xinhua reporting that China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to nationals of **50 countries** and a **240-hour visa-free transit** scheme at **65 entry ports**.[7] There are also a few new infrastructure and service changes worth noting. According to ECNS, **Yiwu Airport** in Zhejiang has launched a **port visa service** for eligible foreign visitors with urgent entry needs, and China State Railway Group has begun a **ticket-request pilot** for more than **200 trains** on Beijing–Shanghai routes.[3] ECNS also reported a new **Urumqi–Yantai–Seoul** service operated by China Southern Airlines, which adds another option for travellers heading to or through northwest China.[3] For trip planning, the main near-term issue is **summer weather disruption** in some regions. TravelAndTourWorld reported heavy rain, flood warnings and some transport interruptions in parts of southern and south-western China, including temporary scenic-area closures and railway suspensions on affected routes.[10] If you’re planning a China trip soon, the best approach is to check local weather and transport updates close to departure, while taking advantage of the country’s easier entry rules and expanded flight and rail connectivity.[3][7][10]