China Cross-Border Trips Hit Record 369 Million in H1 2026 — Visa-Free Arrivals Surge 30.6%
China's National Immigration Administration reports a record 369 million cross-border trips in H1 2026, with 17.8 million visa-free foreign entries surging 30.6% year-on-year — here's what the data means for travelers planning a China trip.
Key takeaway
China's National Immigration Administration reported a record 369 million cross-border trips in the first half of 2026 — a 10.8% year-on-year increase. Visa-free foreign entries surged 30.6% to 17.8 million, accounting for 77.7% of all 22.91 million foreign arrivals. The surge is driven by the expanded 50-country visa-free list and 55-country 240-hour transit policy.
How the rules work
What Changed
According to the NIA's July 2026 press briefing, China's mainland border posts processed 369 million entry-exit movements between January and June 2026 — a 10.8% year-on-year increase and the highest half-year total ever recorded. The surge was driven overwhelmingly by expanded visa-free access policies, which have made China one of the most accessible destinations in Asia for short-term visitors.
The State Council Information Office confirmed that visa-free entries by foreign nationals surpassed 17.8 million, accounting for 77.7% of all foreign arrivals. This means nearly 4 out of every 5 foreign visitors entered China without a traditional visa in H1 2026.
As reported by ECNS, the 22.91 million total foreign-national entries represent a 20.4% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth correlates directly with policy expansions: in February 2026, the United Kingdom and Canada were added to the 30-day unilateral visa-free list, bringing the total to 50 countries. An additional 55 countries qualify for the 240-hour transit policy through 65 ports across 24 provinces.
These numbers come as the NIA separately announced on July 24, 2026 that it plans to further refine visa-free policies and digitize entry procedures — signaling that the government expects even higher volumes in the second half of 2026.
Who this is for
Travelers planning a China trip in late 2026 who need to understand current tourism volumes and plan accordingly. Particularly relevant for visa-free eligible nationals (50 countries), transit travelers (55 countries), and anyone booking flights, hotels, or attractions during peak periods.
What to do next
- Check visa-free eligibility with ChinaPie's country checker. 2. Book flights and major attractions 2–4 weeks ahead for summer/autumn 2026 travel. 3. Set up Alipay with a foreign card before departure using the digital payment guide.
Watch for
❌ Assuming you can book everything last minute → ✅ Book major attractions and trains 2–4 weeks ahead via Trip.com or 12306 English app.
❌ Arriving at the airport with minimal buffer time → ✅ Arrive 3 hours before international departures at PEK, PVG, or CAN during peak periods.
❌ Traveling without a backup payment method → ✅ Set up Alipay with your foreign card before departure and carry RMB 500–1000 in cash.
What may vary
H2 2026 volumes may accelerate further if the NIA's July 24 policy refinement leads to new visa-free country additions before Golden Week (October 1–7). Individual port congestion varies — PVG and PEK have highest volumes; XMN and KMG typically have shorter queues.
Backup plan
If flights to preferred cities are sold out or overpriced, consider flying into secondary hubs like Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), or Kunming Changshui (KMG) — all visa-free eligible and connected to the high-speed rail network.
FAQ
Why are so many foreign visitors entering China visa-free in 2026?
China expanded its unilateral visa-free list to 50 countries (UK and Canada added February 2026) and its 240-hour transit policy to 55 countries. These policies drove a 30.6% surge in visa-free entries to 17.8 million in H1 2026, per the NIA July 2026 briefing.
Will the record tourism numbers make my China trip harder to plan?
Popular attractions and trains sell out faster — book 2–4 weeks ahead. However, more international flights and better English services also mean the overall experience is smoother than in previous years.
Is the 240-hour transit policy contributing to the record numbers?
Yes. The 55-country transit eligibility combined with 50-country visa-free entry means the vast majority of Western travelers can now visit China without a traditional visa, driving the 77.7% visa-free share of all foreign arrivals in H1 2026.