China Tourism Update — 18 August 2026

tourism • 18 August 2026

China’s latest **tourism news** for visitors is still being shaped by **visa-free travel growth**, stronger inbound numbers, and a fresh **entry and exit regulation** set to take effect from 15 September 2026.[7][10][4] For Australian travellers, the most useful takeaway is that China remains actively easing access for many short-stay visitors while also tightening application requirements and document checks.[7][4] According to **Xinhua**, China recorded **17.8 million visa-free entries** by foreign nationals in the first half of 2026, up **30.6% year on year**, with the visa-free policy covering **over 30 European countries** and allowing stays of up to **30 days** for travellers from countries including France, Germany and Italy.[7][8] **China Daily** also reports that China has expanded unilateral visa-free access to citizens of **50 countries**, while nationals of **55 countries** can use the visa-free transit policy at **65 ports**, and that foreign tourists are increasingly adding tech-focused experiences such as robotaxis, drone deliveries and smart retail to their itineraries.[10] One practical update to note is the new **Exit and Entry Administration regulation**, announced by the State Council and due to take effect on **15 September 2026**.[2][4] Based on the reporting, applicants will need to state a truthful and lawful purpose for travel, and authorities will have broader powers to request documents and data during processing, so travellers should make sure their paperwork is complete and consistent before applying.[2][4] If you want, I can turn this into a **2–3 paragraph travel-news article** in an Australian English style, focused specifically on **visa updates, flights, or destination openings**.

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