China Targets 190 Million Inbound Tourists by 2030 in New Five-Year Tourism Plan (2026)
China officially approved a new five-year tourism development plan targeting 190 million inbound tourist visits annually by 2030, with expanded visa-free entry, enhanced payment convenience, and improved international transport links for foreign visitors.
Key takeaway
On July 8, 2026, China's State Council approved a new five-year tourism development plan (2026-2030) targeting 190 million inbound tourist visits per year by 2030, a 23% increase from 2025. The plan mandates expanding visa-free entry, increasing international flights, and improving payment, accommodation, and tax refund systems for foreign visitors. No immediate policy changes have taken effect — current visa-free and transit rules remain active — but this blueprint signals faster, easier entry to China in the coming years.
How the rules work
What Changed
According to the State Council of China and the Xinhua News Agency, the newly approved 15th Five-Year Tourism Development Plan (2026–2030) is the most comprehensive inbound tourism blueprint China has ever issued. The plan was officially announced on July 8, 2026, and sets a headline target: 190 million inbound tourist visits per year by 2030, with annual inbound visitor expenditure projected to exceed US$150 billion.
This represents a fundamental policy pivot toward treating inbound tourism as a strategic economic pillar. The State Council directive explicitly calls for five key reform areas:
- Expanding visa-free entry — building on the existing 50+ country unilateral visa-free program (valid through December 31, 2026) and the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy covering 65 ports across 24 provinces.
- Increasing international air and rail connections — adding direct flight routes and improving high-speed rail integration for international arrivals.
- Enhancing payment convenience — building on the 2024–2025 reforms that allowed foreign visitors to link Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards directly to Alipay and WeChat Pay, with plans to further raise transaction limits and simplify identity verification.
- Improving transportation, communications, and accommodation — including standardized hotel registration for foreign passport holders and better English-language signage at transport hubs.
- Optimizing tax refund procedures — streamlining the departure tax refund process for foreign shoppers.
As reported by Global Times, the plan was announced alongside China's summer tourism campaign, signaling immediate as well as long-term action.
Who this is for
First-time visitors to China, business travelers, digital nomads, travel agencies, and anyone planning a trip to China in 2026-2030 who wants to understand upcoming entry and payment improvements.
What to do next
- Check your visa-free eligibility at en.nia.gov.cn or the ChinaPie Visa-Free Guide. 2. Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your foreign card before departure (takes under 30 minutes). 3. Monitor airline route announcements from Trip.com and major Chinese carriers for new direct flights. 4. Book accommodations 4-6 weeks ahead for peak seasons.
Watch for
❌ Assuming the 190M target means visa-free entry for everyone now → ✅ Check current eligibility at en.nia.gov.cn — the plan is directional for 2026-2030, not immediate
❌ Booking flights assuming all international routes are restored → ✅ Route expansions roll out gradually; verify direct flight availability on Trip.com before booking
❌ Waiting for all reforms before visiting China → ✅ China is already substantially more accessible than in 2023 — travel now while crowds are still manageable
What may vary
Visa-free country list is valid through December 31, 2026 and may be extended or expanded. Payment transaction limits may increase but no specific timeline is announced. International flight route launches depend on bilateral agreements and airline decisions. Provincial implementation speeds vary — Tier-1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) typically lead.
Backup plan
If your nationality is not covered by visa-free entry, apply for an L (tourist) visa at your nearest CVASC (4-7 business days processing). Alternatively, use the 240-hour visa-free transit if transiting to a third country — covers 65 ports across 24 provinces. Some ports offer on-arrival port visas; check en.nia.gov.cn for the latest eligible ports list.
FAQ
Does China's new five-year tourism plan mean visa-free entry for all nationalities?
Not yet. The plan sets a strategic direction for 2026-2030, including expanding the visa-free program. As of July 2026, the existing 50-country unilateral visa-free policy (30 days) and 54-country 240-hour transit policy remain active. The State Council directive means more expansions are likely, but check current eligibility at en.nia.gov.cn before booking.
When will the 190 million inbound tourist target be reached?
The target year is 2030, per the approved five-year plan. In 2025, China received approximately 154 million inbound visits, so the plan targets roughly 23% growth over 5 years — an average of about 4-5% annual growth in inbound arrivals.
Will Alipay and WeChat Pay transaction limits increase because of this plan?
Probably, but no specific increase has been announced yet. The plan directs authorities to enhance convenience in payment, which strongly suggests raising the current ¥5,000 single-transaction and ¥50,000 annual caps for foreign card users. Monitor Alipay's international page and WeChat Pay's help center for limit updates.