China’s border inspection agencies processed 11.28 million cross-border trips during this year’s Labor Day holiday, up 3.5% YoY, with a single-day peak of 2.53 million on May 2, according to the National Immigration Administration. Foreigner arrivals and departures reached 1.26 million, a 12.5% YoY increase, including 436,000 entries under visa-free policies, up 14.7%. In Q1 2026, visa-free entries rose 29.3% to 8.32 million, as China expanded unilateral visa-free access to 50 countries and a 240-hour transit policy covering 55 countries and 60 ports. To boost inbound consumption, authorities plan to roll out an upgraded instant tax refund policy, expand duty-free shopping, and develop cultural heritage and tech-focused tourism products.

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