This year, "China Travel" has become a trending topic online thanks to new policies easing travel for foreigners. According to the National Immigration Administration, 14.6 million foreigners entered China in the first half of the year, a 152.7% increase. Notably, 8.5 million entered visa-free, a 190.1% rise.

Shenzhen, a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is a popular destination featured in many travel Vlogs about 144-hour visa-free transits. With its iconic skyscrapers, bilingual services, and advanced amenities like drone food delivery and efficient international card payments, Shenzhen is attracting more visitors.

A popular infographic showed Shenzhen as one of the top four destinations in China, with over 1.6 million views and 26,000 posts on YouTube about the city in 2024.

In the first half of 2024, Shenzhen Airport saw over 2.51 million inbound and outbound passengers and over 25,000 flights. June 30 alone set a new record with over 19,000 passengers and nearly 200 flights in a single day. By July 17, the airport handled 32.3 million passengers, with international travel up nearly 180%.

Shenzhen has launched or resumed eight international routes this year, connecting to over 40 global destinations, including unique points like Barcelona, Brussels, Tel Aviv, and Mexico City.

In the first half of 2024, 2.4 million foreigners entered or exited Shenzhen, a 145.5% increase. Among them, 291,000 used visa-free entry, 2.58 times the 2023 total. Notably, 50,000 entered as part of 144-hour visa-free tours from Hong Kong and Macau, and 10,000 via the airport and Shekou port.

Since January 11, Shenzhen and eight other airports have implemented a 24-hour direct transit without border inspection. In April, Guangdong added Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail's West Kowloon Station and Liantang Port as new 144-hour visa-free exit points. In May, the National Immigration Administration announced that foreign tourists on cruises organized by local travel agencies can enter via Shekou port visa-free for up to 15 days.

Currently, Shenzhen has 11 ports included in the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, covering land, rail, air, and sea.

Shenzhen's border checkpoints have enhanced services to facilitate smoother cross-border travel, supporting the city’s high-level openness.

"Shenzhen Airport offers seamless financial services for inbound and outbound passengers," said a Shenzhen Airport official. The airport has improved international card payment acceptance to 97.5% in commercial areas and digital RMB acceptance to over 87%.

For better guidance, Shenzhen ports have increased staffing to provide detailed services. Liantang Checkpoint deploys foreign language proficient officers, Shenzhen Bay trains multilingual officers, and West Kowloon Station assigns officers fluent in English, French, and Spanish to assist foreign travelers.

Efficient International Payments

In April, Shenzhen launched a plan to optimize payment services, creating a comprehensive payment demonstration zone. The People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange support initiatives like proxy account opening, mobile payments for international cards, and digital currency wallets. These measures aim to enhance Shenzhen’s international business environment and its status as a global consumer center.

Non-cash transactions by foreigners in Shenzhen reached 66.8 million transactions and 8.7 billion yuan in the first half of 2024, up 85% and 100% respectively. Nearly 38,000 merchants now accept international cards, a 31% increase. International card transactions hit 490,000, totaling 1.2 billion yuan, up 93% and 68% respectively. Mobile payment services like Tenpay are also increasingly popular, providing services to millions of foreigners.

Shenzhen banks offer convenient “small change” services tailored to foreigners' and seniors' preferences for cash, ensuring ease of access at key locations.

Major commercial areas offer comprehensive payment solutions to stimulate spending, evidenced by the 23% increase in foot traffic during the Dragon Boat Festival, attracting nearly 6 million visitors.

Comprehensive Travel Guides

To enhance foreign visitors' experience, Shenzhen has introduced bilingual guides, including the "A Guide for Expats Visiting Shenzhen" and "Fun in Shenzhen." These guides offer practical tips on visas, payments, and local attractions, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Shenzhen’s cultural and tourism bureau continues to improve signage, currency exchange services, and staff training at key locations, enhancing the city's appeal as a top international destination.

The city plans to further ease travel and promote Shenzhen as a premier entry point for international tourism, providing top-tier services to all visitors.