Chongqing - China has become one of the world's hottest destinations this summer, as relaxed visa rules and expanded flight options draw in record numbers of foreign tourists. 

The Civil Aviation Administration reports that China is now connected to 80 countries by direct flights, with international passenger traffic peaking in early August at about 2,100 flights a day. Arrivals from visa-free countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain jumped by more than 50 percent year-on-year. 

From street food stalls to city bike rides, tourists are embracing everyday Chinese life—and this year, more families are joining in, with bigger groups, more children, and a rising number of older travelers in the mix.

Ilia Anfilatov and Syyra Alee take videos at a popular tourist destination in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu remain the top gateways, but the travel map is quickly expanding. Booking data shows foreign tourists are venturing deeper inland, snapping up tickets to 144 Chinese cities. 

Some lesser-known destinations are booming: flights to Datong in Shanxi climbed ninefold compared with last year, while bookings to Yiwu in Zhejiang more than doubled. 

That surge is reaching well beyond China's traditional hubs. In the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing, border officials processed 443,000 travelers between July and August, an 11 percent jump from a year earlier. 

Foreign arrivals climbed 47 percent to 75,000, with more than 21,000 making use of visa-free entry programs—nearly double last year's figure. Mainland travelers also took 288,000 trips through the city's ports, most often bound for Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Chongqing's border authorities ensured efficient clearance for major international events such as the 2025 SCO Film Festival. They also facilitated cross-border business activities for multinational companies, including HP and Changan Auto, creating a more business-friendly environment at the city's ports. 

As China's summer travel season set new records, Chongqing emerged as both a gateway and a destination in its own right. With improved connectivity, efficient border services, and a welcoming business environment, the city is strengthening its role as a hub for international exchange and cooperation.