China Tourism Update — 3 November 2026

tourism • 3 November 2026

China is seeing strong growth in international tourism, with **11.6 million foreign arrivals recorded in the July–September quarter—up 15.6% year on year**. Visa-free travellers accounted for almost four in five entries, while China’s visa-free programme had expanded to 50 countries by September, alongside a separate 10-day visa-free transit scheme.[2] For Australian travellers, the main practical takeaway is that easier entry is being paired with improved visitor services. China’s tourism development plans include more international air and rail connections, simpler payments, expanded multilingual assistance and improved tax-refund services for overseas visitors.[2] Travellers should still check the latest entry rules for Australian passport holders before booking, as eligibility and permitted activities vary by nationality and visa category. International visitors are also spreading beyond Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. During the October National Day holiday, smaller destinations—including Zhangjiajie—recorded strong inbound interest, while fifth-tier cities represented more than 8% of Trip.com’s inbound bookings. This creates opportunities to add regional heritage, natural scenery and less-visited cities to a China itinerary.[8]

Sources