China opens further to the world: what 192 million border crossings reveal
Chinese border authorities recorded 192 million entries and exits in the third quarter of 2026, up 7.9 percent from the same period a year earlier. The figure reflects a broader recovery and expansion of cross-border movement.
Of the total, 95.96 million crossings were made by mainland residents. Another 73.14 million were made by residents of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan, representing year-on-year increases of 7.4 percent and 6.4 percent respectively.
The growth among foreign nationals was even more pronounced. Between July and September, foreign travelers made 23.27 million border crossings, up 15.6 percent year on year.
One factor behind the increase is the continued expansion of visa-free entry. During the quarter, foreign nationals made 8.99 million visa-free entries, accounting for 77.5 percent of all foreign arrivals and rising 24.1 percent from a year earlier.
The top source countries for inbound foreign travelers were Russia, the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Australia. Together, they accounted for 63.9 percent of all foreign arrivals.
China has gradually broadened its short-stay entry policies in recent years. In December 2023, it introduced a trial unilateral visa-free policy for visitors from six countries. By September 2026, the number of countries covered by unilateral visa-free entry had expanded to 50.
Eligible travelers can stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa. Visa-free transit has also been expanded. In December 2024, China extended the permitted transit period for certain travelers from 72 or 144 hours to 240 hours. The scheme currently covers citizens of 57 countries.
The figures show that growth is not limited to foreign tourism. Cross-border movement by mainland residents as well as travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan is also increasing. Together, these trends are creating a more intensive flow of people across China's borders and strengthening the country's role as a major destination for business, tourism and private travel in Asia.
The expansion of visa-free access, improving air connectivity and the broader recovery of international mobility are gradually changing the structure of inbound travel. For many foreign visitors, travel to China is becoming administratively easier, creating additional opportunities for tourism, business, exhibitions, education and people-to-people exchanges.
According to CCTV+, third-quarter data point to sustained growth in entries and exits across China's borders, with foreign travel and visa-free arrivals showing particularly strong momentum.
