How many countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?

As of February 2026, ordinary passport holders from 50 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under the unilateral policy (the UK and Canada were added that month), and 29 more countries hold reciprocal visa-waiver agreements. Separately, citizens of 55 countries qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit.

How many foreigners visited China in 2025?

China's National Immigration Administration recorded 82 million entries by foreign nationals in 2025. Of those, 30.08 million entered visa-free — 73.1% of all foreign entries and a 49.5% increase over 2024.

How much does a China trip cost per day?

Averaged across 23 major tourist cities: roughly $36/day for budget travel, $92/day mid-range, and $199/day for comfort — excluding international flights. Shanghai runs about 25% above the national average; Pingyao and Datong run about 20% below.

Data · Verified 2026-07-20

China Tourism Statistics (2026)

The numbers behind China's inbound travel boom, collected in one place — official entry figures, visa-policy coverage, and on-the-ground cost data. Every figure names its source, and journalists and bloggers are welcome to cite this page.

The short version: Foreign entries to China hit 82 million in 2025, with visa-free entries up 49.5% year-on-year to 30.08 million — 73.1% of all foreign arrivals. As of February 2026, 50 countries hold 30-day visa-free access, 29 more have mutual waivers, and 55 nationalities qualify for 240-hour transit.

Official 2025 entry & exit figures

Source: National Immigration Administration annual announcement, 28 January 2026, via the State Council of China's English portal.

697Mtotal border crossings in 2025, up 14.2% year-on-year

82Mentries by foreign nationals in 2025

30.08Mvisa-free foreign entries — 73.1% of all foreign entries

+49.5%year-on-year growth in visa-free entries

Visa-free coverage in 2026

Sources: National Immigration Administration and the China Visa Application Service Center; country-by-country detail in our visa-free checker, re-verified monthly.

50countries with unilateral 30-day visa-free entry (48 at end-2025; UK and Canada added February 2026)

29countries with reciprocal visa-waiver agreements (end-2025 count)

55nationalities eligible for 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit

65 / 24open ports across 24 provinces accepting visa-free transit entries

The 30-day unilateral policy is a trial currently authorized through December 31, 2026. Policies change several times a year — our checker shows the current rule for each passport with a per-page verification date.

What a China trip costs (2026 data)

Source: Into China Guide's own 23-city budget dataset — methodology and full tables in What a China Trip Actually Costs in 2026; four intercity rail fares independently verified July 2026.

$36average per day, budget style (hostels, street food, metro) — across 23 cities

$92average per day, mid-range (3-star hotels, restaurant meals, paid sights)

$199average per day, comfort tier

±25%the full city spread: Shanghai ~25% above national average; Pingyao and Datong ~20% below

Sample verified rail fares (second class): Beijing → Xi'an ¥480–700, Beijing → Shanghai ¥550–930. Full route-by-route fares in our intercity route guides.

Frequently asked questions

How many countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?: As of February 2026, ordinary passport holders from 50 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under the unilateral policy (the UK and Canada were added that month), and 29 more countries hold reciprocal visa-waiver agreements. Separately, citizens of 55 countries qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit.
How many foreigners visited China in 2025?: China's National Immigration Administration recorded 82 million entries by foreign nationals in 2025. Of those, 30.08 million entered visa-free — 73.1% of all foreign entries and a 49.5% increase over 2024.
How much does a China trip cost per day?: Averaged across 23 major tourist cities: roughly $36/day for budget travel, $92/day mid-range, and $199/day for comfort — excluding international flights. Shanghai runs about 25% above the national average; Pingyao and Datong run about 20% below.

Citing this page

All figures above are free to cite with attribution. Suggested format:

Into China Guide, "China Tourism Statistics (2026)",
intochinaguide.com/china-tourism-statistics/ — verified 2026-07-20.

Official figures should ideally also credit their primary source (the National Immigration Administration). We re-verify this page when new official data is released; the date above tells you how fresh it is. Questions or corrections: contact us.