China Sees 135 Percent Surge in Cross Border Travel First Quarter

Published on Apr 11, 2026.

China Sees 135 Percent Surge in Cross Border Travel First Quarter

China experienced a significant recovery in cross-border travel during the first quarter of the year, registering a remarkable 14.2 percent increase in overall trips. This resurgence is indicative of a rebound in the travel industry, as highlighted by the data from the National Immigration Administration.

Mainland residents accounted for a substantial portion of this increase, embarking on a total of 91.66 million cross-border journeys. This marks a notable rise compared to the same period last year, signaling a renewed optimism among Chinese travelers.

Foreign visitors also demonstrated a strong appetite for travel to China, with 21.33 million foreign nationals making border crossings in the initial three months of the year. This figures a notable increase of 22.3 percent year-on-year, revealing a robust recovery trend in international tourism.

A significant portion of the foreign entries was facilitated by visa-free policies, which comprised about 77.9 percent of all border crossings made by international visitors. This trend underscores the importance of streamlined entry processes in encouraging tourism.

This surge in cross-border travel not only reflects the resilience of the tourism sector but also signifies potential strengthening of international relations as travelers engage more freely across borders.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSTOURISM

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