China Tourism Update — 24 September 2026

tourism • 24 September 2026

China’s latest tourism updates for travellers focus on **easier entry, more flight options, and stronger rail connectivity**. According to *China Daily* and the National Immigration Administration, China has expanded its **240-hour visa-free transit** programme to **57 countries**, while foreign entries under visa-free policies reached **23.72 million** from January to August 2026, showing how much simpler short visits have become for many international travellers.[5][9] According to *South China Morning Post*, foreign visitors staying outside hotels can now **register accommodation online** instead of going to a police station, which should make trips to private rentals and serviced apartments more convenient.[6] That same practical trend is reflected in transport, with *China Daily* reporting **3.32 billion railway passenger trips** in the first eight months of 2026, including **16.68 million trips by foreign passengers**, and **2,501 tourist trains** added to support scenic and cultural travel.[20] For air travellers, the biggest development in the search results is new and resuming route capacity. Shenzhen is set to gain **direct Shenzhen–Sydney flights from 14 December**, operated four times a week by Shenzhen Airlines, which is a notable option for Australian visitors planning onward connections within China.[7] Separately, China’s airport network has continued to strengthen its global connectivity, with *South China Morning Post* highlighting rising international links through hubs such as **Shanghai and Guangzhou**.[1] If you want, I can turn these into a **2–3 paragraph news brief for Australian travellers** or a **bullet-point China travel update** with the most useful visa and flight details.

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