China's Summer Tourism Surge Draws 23 Million Visitors in 2026

China recorded more than 22.9 million inbound visits in the first half of 2026, a 20.4% year‑on‑year increase, as travelers seek cooler summer destinations. Visa‑facilitation measures such as a 240‑hour visa‑free transit policy and fast‑track immigration have helped open over ten new air routes linking eight countries, boosting arrivals to cities like Liupanshui in Guizhou Province and the UNESCO‑listed landscape of Zhangjiajie in Hunan.

Tourist hotspots across Yunnan, Guizhou and Hunan provinces – including Liupanshui’s themed festivals, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon’s daily visits nearing 10,000, and Yunnan’s Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Stone Forest – have attracted visitors from Europe, Southeast Asia and Singapore, according to travel‑trend data from Skyscanner. The surge reflects a broader shift as extreme heat in Europe drives demand for China’s cooler climate and natural scenery.