China Tourism Update — 29 July 2026
tourism • 29 July 2026
China’s latest tourist-facing updates are mostly positive: entry is becoming easier, tax refunds are being expanded, and new transport links are improving access for visitors. The most useful recent changes for Australian travellers are China’s plan to refine visa-free transit and entry procedures, plus a new nationwide tax refund upgrade that should make shopping trips more convenient.[3][10] According to Xinhua via the State Council, China will accelerate digital travel documents, expand “smart” customs clearance, and improve online immigration services to make entry smoother for foreign visitors.[3] China Daily reports that the new departure tax refund rules will allow *instant refunds across more regions* and standardise the departure deadline at **28 days**, which is particularly helpful for multi-city itineraries.[10] On the demand side, China’s inbound recovery is still strong. Official figures released on 24 July showed **22.91 million** foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026, up **20.4%** year on year, with **17.82 million** entering under visa-free or transit-free arrangements.[6][7] China Travel News also highlights a record **10 million cross-border passengers** through Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, underlining how quickly major gateways are recovering.[1] For practical trip planning, this means travellers should expect **more convenient entry**, **better airport processing**, and **improved shopping refunds** on the ground.[3][10] If you want, I can turn this into a short **Australia-focused China travel update** covering visas, flights, and practical tips for the next 1–3 months.