China’s Liaoning Opens New Chapter in Global Tourism as Shenyang Hosts International Travel Trade Promotion Event

Image generated with Ai

China’s Liaoning bolsters global tourism with new travel partnerships and visa-free transit at Shenyang’s trade event.

China’s Liaoning province is strengthening its role as a player in the international tourism market as Shenyang holds a major global travel trade promotion event that is aimed to attract overseas visitors and to expand cross-border tourism cooperation. The 2026 Liaoning Global Travel Trade Inbound Tourism Promotion Event convened more than 200 tourism industry representatives, travel influencers, industry specialists and media professionals from Canada, France, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and other international markets. The initiative underlines Liaoning’s growing interest in international arrivals, improved visitor services, visa-free transit facilities and new travel experiences across northeastern China.

The event created an important platform for Chinese tourism organisations and overseas travel businesses to examine new opportunities for destination promotion, tourism product development and international collaboration. With inbound tourism visits and international visitor expenditure continuing to increase, Liaoning is seeking to introduce its historical landmarks, coastal attractions, ecological destinations and winter tourism resources to a wider global audience.

Shenyang Welcomes International Tourism Representatives to Strengthen Global Cooperation

The international tourism promotion event was organised in Shenyang, bringing together representatives from several major overseas travel markets. More than 200 participants attended the gathering, reflecting the province’s efforts to establish stronger connections with international tourism businesses.

Representatives from Canada, France, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam participated in discussions concerning inbound cultural tourism, international travel services and potential tourism partnerships.

The event provided opportunities for travel operators to explore Liaoning’s tourism resources and identify destinations suitable for international holiday packages.

The programme also highlighted the importance of cooperation between local tourism providers and overseas travel companies in improving destination accessibility and international market awareness.

Liaoning Introduces New Inbound Tourism Guide and Industry Development Report

During the event, the Liaoning Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism released a new inbound tourism guide alongside an industry data report.

The guide was developed to help international visitors explore the province’s attractions and understand the range of travel experiences available across Liaoning.

Historical landmarks and cultural heritage destinations feature prominently, alongside coastal holiday experiences, ecological wellness destinations, industrial heritage attractions and winter hot springs.

The guide also provides a reference for international tour operators interested in creating itineraries that connect several destinations within the province.

By presenting different tourism experiences through a single resource, Liaoning aims to support more convenient travel planning while strengthening international destination promotion.

Liaoning Records Major Growth in International Tourist Arrivals During 2025

Tourism figures presented during the promotional event revealed considerable expansion in Liaoning’s inbound travel sector.

According to the provincial tourism industry report, inbound tourism visits increased by 30% in 2025, while spending by incoming visitors grew by 34.4%.

The number of foreign tourists entering Liaoning increased by 54% compared with the previous year.

Another significant development was recorded in visa-free tourism, with arrivals by visa-free foreign visitors reaching 5.7 times the previous year’s level.

These figures demonstrate the increasing importance of international tourism to Liaoning’s visitor economy.

The growth in foreign arrivals also reflects expanding opportunities for local accommodation providers, transport operators, travel agencies and tourism attractions serving overseas travellers.

International Tourism Spending Continues to Rise Through September 2026

The positive performance recorded in 2025 continued into the first nine months of 2026.

By the end of September, inbound tourism visits had increased by 23.7% year on year, according to figures presented at the event.

International visitor expenditure also grew by 34.6% compared with the corresponding period of 2025.

The figures indicate that tourism spending increased at a faster rate than overall inbound visitor numbers during the reporting period.

South Korea and Japan remained important source markets for Liaoning’s tourism industry.

Visitor growth from South Korea reached 29%, while arrivals from Japan increased by 17.6%.

These developments highlight the importance of Northeast Asian tourism markets to Liaoning’s international visitor economy and its broader tourism expansion strategy.

China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Supports Easier International Travel

Liaoning is strengthening its international visitor support system through improvements in entry procedures, tourism services and travel convenience.

China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy provides eligible foreign travellers with opportunities to explore designated destinations under specified entry and onward-travel conditions.

Dalian also offers 24-hour direct transit arrangements for qualifying international passengers.

Other improvements include more convenient tax-refund services for overseas visitors, multilingual tourism information and integrated visitor assistance centres.

These facilities are intended to simplify travel planning and help international tourists navigate local destinations. The province is also focusing on making transport, payments and visitor information easier to access.

Shenyang Promotes Imperial Heritage and Winter Tourism Ahead of 2028 Games

Shenyang highlighted its historical importance and cultural attractions during the international tourism event.

The city promoted its three World Cultural Heritage sites, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, as important attractions for overseas visitors interested in Chinese history.

Its Qing Dynasty heritage provides opportunities to explore historical architecture and cultural landmarks.

Shenyang is also developing winter leisure experiences in connection with the 15th National Winter Games in 2028.

Winter hot springs are among the experiences being promoted to attract tourists during colder months.

Expanded duty-free shopping options and easier transit arrangements are also part of the city’s efforts to improve international visitor experiences.

Dalian Strengthens Coastal Tourism Appeal for Overseas Visitors

Dalian was presented as one of Liaoning’s important coastal destinations, offering international visitors an alternative to the province’s historical and border tourism attractions.

The city is promoting seaside recreation, coastal landscapes and leisure holidays as important components of its tourism offering.

Its 24-hour direct transit arrangements for eligible passengers also support the province’s wider international travel accessibility initiatives.

By combining coastal tourism with improved visitor services, Dalian contributes to Liaoning’s strategy of developing diverse travel experiences.

The city was among the three destinations that presented their cultural and tourism resources to international travel trade representatives during the Shenyang event.

Dandong Highlights Yalu River Border Tourism and Natural Attractions

Dandong showcased its border landscapes, historical landmarks and ecological tourism resources during the promotional programme.

The city benefits from a transport network that includes a border port, airport, high-speed railway, river port, seaport and highway connections.

The Broken Bridge over the Yalu River remains an important historical attraction, while river sightseeing excursions offer views of the Chinese and North Korean banks.

The Yalu River Estuary Wetland was also highlighted as a destination for nature-based tourism.

These attractions provide opportunities to develop travel itineraries combining historical exploration, border scenery and ecological experiences.

International Travel Trade Negotiations Open New Tourism Cooperation Opportunities

The event included a dedicated business negotiation session involving Chinese tourism companies and international travel representatives.

Discussions focused on developing new tourism products, improving local visitor reception, simplifying travel procedures and strengthening overseas payment services.

Multilingual tourism assistance and practical destination support were also addressed.

Several preliminary cooperation intentions emerged from the discussions.

The event additionally introduced an international travel guide co-creation programme, inviting overseas contributors to help develop tourism information and destination itineraries.

According to the Liaoning Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, participating tourism enterprises also signed strategic cooperation agreements covering visitor exchanges, joint product development and international market promotion.

International Travel Representatives Explore Shenyang, Jinzhou and Chaoyang

The promotion programme extended beyond the main conference venue through destination familiarisation visits.

International travel trade representatives and tourism content creators were scheduled to explore Shenyang, Jinzhou and Chaoyang, gaining firsthand experience of Liaoning’s natural landscapes and historical heritage.

These visits were designed to help overseas tourism businesses better understand regional attractions and assess opportunities for future travel packages.

The programme also supports the promotion of destinations beyond the province’s major international gateways.

By introducing overseas industry representatives to a broader selection of destinations, Liaoning aims to encourage more varied travel itineraries and strengthen international tourism awareness.

Liaoning Sets Sights on Northeast Asian Tourism Development Through 2030

Liaoning’s tourism promotion initiative forms part of China’s broader strategy to strengthen international engagement and expand cultural tourism consumption.

The province is aligning its inbound tourism development with the 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026–2030.

Its priorities include improving visitor services, developing international tourism products, expanding destination promotion and strengthening cooperation with travel businesses overseas.

Particular attention is being given to positioning Liaoning as an important destination for cross-border tourism cooperation in Northeast Asia.

The province’s combination of international transport connections, historical attractions, coastal landscapes and emerging winter tourism experiences provides the foundation for this approach.

Liaoning Looks Towards a More Connected International Tourism Future

The Shenyang event represents another step in Liaoning’s efforts to expand its presence in the global travel market.

With international arrivals and visitor expenditure increasing, the province is placing greater emphasis on accessible travel services, international business partnerships and diversified tourism experiences.

Shenyang’s historical heritage, Dalian’s coastal attractions and Dandong’s border landscapes offer distinct reasons for overseas visitors to explore northeastern China.

Meanwhile, new tourism guides, visa-free transit arrangements, multilingual assistance and industry cooperation initiatives are intended to support future inbound travel growth.

China’s Liaoning is expanding its global tourism reach as Shenyang hosts an international travel trade event to boost inbound tourism through new partnerships, visa-free transit and diverse travel experiences.

As Liaoning advances its tourism development programme through 2030, international connectivity and improved visitor experiences remain central to its ambition to become a more prominent tourism destination in Northeast Asia.