China’s Capital Beijing Sets New Benchmark For Global Travel With Over Twenty Million Passengers In 2025 As Visa-Free Policies Drive Remarkable Growth

Published on December 8, 2025

In 2025, Beijing has achieved a significant milestone, recording over twenty million passenger movements, the highest since 2020. This surge in international travel can be attributed to China’s strategic visa-free policies, which have facilitated easier access for travelers from various regions, including Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. These policies, along with improved border control measures, have led to a remarkable increase in foreign visitors, contributing to the recovery and growth of China’s tourism sector.

As of early Saturday morning, more than 20 million passenger movements, both incoming and outgoing, had been recorded at Beijing’s border inspection stations, marking the highest figure since 2020. This increase, according to local authorities, reflects a significant surge in travel activity. Foreign nationals accounted for approximately 30% of these movements, with the total number surpassing the entire border traffic of 2024 by 10%.

A substantial portion of this uptick can be attributed to the 6 million border crossings made by foreign nationals, which represents a 34.5% increase from the same period last year. Among these travelers, nearly 1.86 million entered the country through visa exemption policies, a 90% rise compared to 2024. These visa-free entries now account for a remarkable 60% of all foreign arrivals, signaling a notable shift in the ease of travel to China.

Travel trends reveal that nearly half of the foreign visitors came for tourism, while the remainder included business travelers or those visiting friends and family. This diverse mix of travelers underscores the broad appeal of China as a destination for leisure, professional, and personal purposes.

The surge in passenger movements can be partially credited to China’s ongoing efforts to optimize its visa-free policies. By the end of last month, the country had established mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 nations, while offering unilateral visa-free entry to nationals of 48 countries across regions such as Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. These efforts aim to make travel to China more accessible, especially for tourists and business travelers from a wider range of countries.

To support this surge in travel, Beijing’s border inspection services have been making concerted efforts to streamline the entry process. Since November 20, foreign visitors have been able to complete their arrival cards online in advance, facilitating smoother and quicker processing upon arrival. In addition, clear guidance signs have been installed at ports of entry to assist travelers, further enhancing the efficiency of border control procedures.

These measures reflect China’s commitment to revitalizing its tourism and business travel sectors, following global disruptions caused by the pandemic. The favorable visa policies, combined with improved border inspection systems, have significantly contributed to an increase in international traffic through Beijing, positioning the capital as an increasingly accessible gateway to the country.

As travel flows continue to rise, Beijing’s border authorities are expected to implement further enhancements in customs clearance procedures to accommodate growing passenger numbers. This includes the continued adoption of online pre-arrival systems and additional logistical support, ensuring that both foreign and domestic travelers can move through the inspection stations with minimal delays.

The latest data from Beijing’s border stations highlights a remarkable recovery in international travel, with significant contributions from both tourism and business sectors. China’s visa-free policies, alongside improvements in border inspection efficiency, have played a crucial role in this resurgence. As the year progresses, it is likely that travel figures will continue to climb, further demonstrating China’s position as a key player in global travel networks.