China's holiday travel surges as visa-free arrivals rise

China saw a surge in cross-border travel during the May Day holiday, with nearly 11.3 million trips recorded, as an uptick in international visitors, including those entering visa-free, added to the increase.

Border crossings averaged about 2.26 million per day during the five-day holiday that began on May 1, up 3.5 percent from a year earlier and peaking on May 2, the National Immigration Administration said on Wednesday.

Trips by foreign nationals to and from China rose to 1.26 million during the holiday, a 12.5 percent increase from a year earlier. Among those entering China, 436,000 came visa-free, up 14.7 percent.

China has expanded visa-free policies in recent years, allowing longer stays and wider travel, while also introducing conveniences such as instant tax refunds for departing visitors.

International travelers ventured beyond traditional destinations during the holiday, with provincial regions such as Heilongjiang, Guizhou, Hunan, Xinjiang and Shanxi all seeing inbound traffic rise by more than 60 percent, according to travel platforms. Arrivals from Russia jumped 120.1 percent from a year earlier, leading both in volume and growth.

The shift toward more immersive travel is also reflected in how some visitors spend their time in China. As travel becomes easier, more foreign tourists are looking beyond the usual attractions and into everyday local life.

In Jiangsu, a soccer fan from Russia, traveled to watch the "Su Super League," an amateur soccer competition in the eastern province. He also joined locals in practicing Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese fitness routine rooted in centuries-old medicine.

"This is one of the most beautiful times of year in China, and the holiday has so much energy," he said.

A young woman from Vietnam, visiting China for the first time, spent her trip to the border city of Dongxing in Guangxi exploring night markets, sampling local dishes and sharing photos and videos online. A fan of Chinese television dramas, she said she felt at ease with urban life in China and was struck by the warmth of local residents and how easy it was to get around.