China’s foreign arrivals grew by 15.6% in the latest quarter. The rise is interesting because it happened while the country changed its visa rules.

National Immigration Administration data show that almost four in five visitors entered China without a visa. This large share of visa‑free travelers coincided with the overall increase.

The visa‑free program started as a trial for six nationalities in 2023. By September 2026 it covered 50 countries, and visitors can stay up to 30 days.

China’s tourism plan aims to welcome 190 million inbound tourists each year by 2030. The recent growth shows the country is moving toward that target.