China Tourism Update — 3 October 2026

tourism • 3 October 2026

China’s latest travel updates for tourists are overwhelmingly positive: **visa-free access is broadening, inbound travel is rising, and new payment and rail services are making trips easier**. According to **Xinhua**, foreign nationals made almost **61.29 million border crossings** in January–August 2026, up **19.5%** year on year, while overseas visitors spent **263.6 billion yuan** in China in the first seven months, up **27.8%**.[7] **CGTN** also reported that in the first half of 2026, **22.914 million** foreign nationals entered China, with visa-free entries up **30.6%** year on year.[6] For practical trip planning, the biggest changes are in **entry rules and traveller services**. **China Daily** reports that China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of around **80 countries**, while the 240-hour visa-free transit policy covers **57 countries** and **Hainan** offers **30-day visa-free entry** to nationals of **61 countries**.[10][6] **China Travel News** said those policy expansions continued into late September, including new 240-hour transit and Hainan visa-free measures that took effect on **20 August 2026** for Kyrgyz and Vietnamese citizens.[5] Payment and transport are also becoming more traveller-friendly. According to **VnExpress International**, Tencent has launched a mobile payment app for foreign visitors that lets them use overseas bank cards and digital wallets across the **WeChat Pay** network.[1] **CGTN** reported that China opened **four major high-speed rail sections** on **1 October**, just before the National Day holiday, and China Railway expects about **284 million passenger trips** during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday period through **8 October**.[11]

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