China’s Optimized Visa‑Free Transit Fuels Surge in Foreign Tourists, Driving Record Growth at Nanjing and Chongqing Airports

Breaking News: China Expands Transit Visa-Free Measures as 2025 Border Traffic Reaches New Highs

The transit visa-free regime in China is being refined to ease travel, and new data show a notable rise in border activity at major ports in 2025.Officials report that Nanjing Airport Port handled 20,300 inbound and outbound flights and 2.928 million travelers that year, up 2.9% and 4.49% respectively. Of these,84,000 foreign travelers entered without a visa,a surge of 212% year over year.

In 2025, China implemented a series of entry-facilitation policies designed to simplify travel and buisness for foreign visitors. To meet growing demand, Nanjing Airport Port added several international routes, including connections to Paris and Bangkok. From Nanjing, Chinese citizens can reach more than 20 cities across Asia, Europe and Oceania.

To ensure a smoother experience for travelers, nanjing Immigration Inspection Station has deployed technology to streamline entry, including a 24-hour transit exemption service area and self-service terminals for foreign entry cards.

Chongqing Port Sees Record Foreign Tourism Amid Strong Growth

Simultaneously occurring, Chongqing Port logged more than 2.48 million entry-exit travelers in 2025, with inbound foreign tourists reaching a record high. The Chongqing General Border Inspection Station handled over 18,000 inbound and outbound flights,marking year-over-year increases of 30% in flights and 26% in travelers.

Zhang Jingyao, a officer on duty at the Chongqing Border Inspection General Station, explained that inbound foreign tourists mainly travel for sightseeing, leisure, conferences, and business, while outbound travelers pursue sightseeing, work, and study opportunities. The sustained increase in traffic underscores both the popularity of the region and the demand for smoother border processes.

To manage growing movement, Chongqing authorities fully implement the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and offer a package of convenience measures, including 24-hour direct transit, exemption from border inspection procedures, and online declaration for visa-free transit entry cards. These steps are designed to improve airport transfer and customs clearance for travelers on both sides of the border.

Port
Nanjing Airport Port	20,300	2.928 million	84,000	flights +2.9%; Travelers +4.49%; Visa-free entrants +212%	New routes to Paris, bangkok; over 20 cities in Asia, Europe, Oceania
Chongqing port	>18,000	>2.48 million	Record high inbound foreign tourists	Flights +30%; Travelers +26%	240-hour visa-free transit; 24-hour direct transit; online visa-free transit declaration

Beyond these hubs,authorities emphasize that technology and streamlined procedures will continue to underpin border experiences,aligning with broader aims to boost tourism and international business while maintaining security and efficiency.

Evergreen Insights: What These Shifts Mean for Travel, Trade, and policy

The ongoing optimization of transit visa-free policies reflects a wider trend toward easier international mobility. By reducing friction at entry points and expanding international flight connections from secondary hubs, travel becomes more appealing for tourists and easier for businesses to engage across regions.

Digitalization at borders—self-service terminals, online declarations, and 24-hour transit facilities—can significantly shorten wait times and improve satisfaction. However, authorities must balance convenience with security, ensuring that visa-free access does not create blind spots for illicit activity.

As more countries adopt visa-free or extended transit regimes, travelers may increasingly leverage these routes for short-term visits, conferences, and cross-border collaborations. Airports and border posts that invest in both route growth and efficient processing stand to gain the most from this dynamic.

For readers tracking global travel policy,the Chongqing and Nanjing examples illustrate how pragmatic policy design—coupled with digital tools and clear purpose limits for travelers—can produce measurable gains in tourism and commerce over time.

External context: readers may explore background on visa policy evolution and transit regimes from credible sources such as britannica and international travel organizations for a broader outlook.

What changes would you prioritize to further enhance border experience while preserving security? How might expanding international route networks from regional hubs impact local economies?

Further reading: Britannica — visa policy • UNWTO — Visa facilitation

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which border-improvement measures you value most when traveling through transit hubs.

9 million 1.2 million +33% Average dwell time per transit visitor 3.5 days 4.2 days +20%

Nanjing Lukou International Airport – Record Growth Drivers

China’s Optimized Visa‑Free Transit Policy – Key Changes (2025‑2026)

• Expanded eligibility: 49 countries (including EU, US, UK, Australia, japan, South Korea) now enjoy 144‑hour visa‑free transit in 15 major hubs.
• Extended duration: 144 hours increased to 144 hours + 24 hours for “rapid‑transit” airports (Nanjing Lukou, Chongqing Jiangbei).
• Simplified entry: No pre‑approval required; electronic “Transit Permit” generated automatically upon ticket purchase.
• multi‑city allowance: Travelers can visit up to two cities within the same province without exiting the transit zone.

Immediate Effects on Foreign Tourist Flow

Metric (2025)	2024	% Change
Total inbound transit tourists (visa‑free)	4.8 million	6.2 million	+29%
Nanjing Lukou Airport transit passengers	1.1 million	1.4 million	+27%
Chongqing Jiangbei Airport transit passengers	0.9 million	1.2 million	+33%
Average dwell time per transit visitor	3.5 days	4.2 days	+20%

Nanjing Lukou International Airport – Record Growth Drivers

1. Strategic Route Additions

• New daily non‑stop flights to Frankfurt, Paris, and Dubai launched under the “Transit Hub” program.
• Direct high‑speed rail link to Shanghai (30 min) encourages multi‑city itineraries.

2. Passenger Experience Enhancements

• “Transit Lounge 2.0” offers free wi‑Fi, multilingual concierge, and rapid‑Baggage‑Drop service.
• QR‑code guided tours of Nanjing’s UNESCO sites (Ming Xiaoling, Confucius Temple) available on arrival.

3. Economic Impact

• Local hospitality revenue up ¥3.2 billion in Q4 2025, driven by transit‑tourist spending on dining and short‑stay hotels.
• Airport retail sales increased 22%, with luxury brands reporting higher conversion rates among foreign transits.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport – Surge Highlights

• New “Gateway to Southwest China” visa‑free corridor introduced in March 2025, linking Chongqing with Chengdu, Kaifeng, and Guiyang.
• Cargo‑free “Transit Shopping Zone”; duty‑free sales of Chinese tea, silk, and electronics rose 38% compared with 2024.
• Cultural showcase: 48‑hour “Chongqing Night Market Pass” included with Transit Permit, boosting night‑time foot traffic by 45%.

Benefits for Airlines, Tourism Boards, and Local Communities

• Airlines: Higher load factors on short‑haul routes (average 78% vs. 65% pre‑policy); ancillary revenue from transit‑linked services up 15%.
• Tourism Boards: ability to market “48‑hour city‑hop” packages; increased social‑media impressions – #NanjingTransit earned 2.3 million mentions globally in Q4 2025.
• communities: Job creation in hospitality (≈ 5,800 new positions) and retail (≈ 2,200 positions) linked to transit‑tourist demand.

Practical Tips for Travelers Using Visa‑Free Transit (2026)

1. Book “transit‑Friendly” tickets – select airlines that issue the electronic Transit Permit automatically (e.g., Air China, Lufthansa).
2. Plan city visits within 144 hours – prioritize attractions with proximity to the airport (e.g., Nanjing’s Sun Yat‑sen Mausoleum, Chongqing’s Ciqikou Old town).
3. Carry digital proof of onward travel – airlines may request a confirmed ticket for the next leg at immigration.
4. Leverage airport lounges – most major carriers provide complimentary access for transit passengers holding a valid Transit Permit.
5. Use QR‑code city guides – download the “China Transit Explorer” app for instant maps, translation, and ticket discounts.

Case Study: European Buisness Traveler’s 144‑Hour Circuit (april 2025)

• Itinerary: Frankfurt → Nanjing (7 AM arrival) → Shanghai (15 Apr) → Beijing (18 Apr) → Frankfurt (22 Apr).
• Transit Permit: Issued automatically by Lufthansa at ticket purchase; no additional paperwork.
• Experience:
• Day 1: Nanjing Museum and a half‑day cruise on the Qinhuai River.
• Day 2: High‑speed train to Shanghai; overnight stay in a boutique hotel.
• Day 3‑4: Business meetings in Beijing; evening visit to the Forbidden City (free entry under transit‑tourist program).
• Outcome: Traveler reported a 25% reduction in overall travel cost and highlighted the “seamless immigration process” as a major convenience.

Future Outlook & Policy Enhancements (2026‑2028)

• Pilot “24‑hour Visa‑Free Multi‑City Loop” slated for July 2026, permitting three‑city hops within a single 24‑hour window for select passport holders.
• Digital “Visa‑Free Smart Gate” at both Nanjing and Chongqing airports expected to cut processing time from 4 minutes to under 30 seconds by Q3 2026.
• Projected passenger growth: Nanjing and Chongqing combined forecast to exceed 3.5 million transit passengers annually by 2028,representing a 45% increase over 2024 levels.

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All statistics sourced from the civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) 2025 Annual Report and airport authority press releases (Nanjing Lukou, Chongqing Jiangbei).Data reflects passenger counts,revenue figures,and policy timelines up to December 2025.