Hunan's ports handled nearly 400,000 entry-exit passenger trips and more than 2,500 inbound and outbound flights in the first quarter of 2026, representing year-on-year increases of 16.4% and 7.5%, respectively, according to the recent data from the Hunan General Station of Immigration Inspection.

In the first quarter, Hunan's ports processed 175,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips made by foreigners, basically unchanged from the same period last year. The foreign travelers came from 118 countries, including South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Kenya. Of the total inbound foreign trips, 45,000 were made by South Korean tourists, accounting for 56% of the total and representing a year-on-year increase of 12%, maintaining the top position. Over 70,000 visa-free entries were recorded, accounting for 86% of the total.

Of the total entry-exit trips during the period, travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan saw a significant growth. A total of 6,700 trips were made by Taiwanese compatriots, marking the largest increase with a 19.6-fold year-on-year rise; 7,000 were made by residents of Hong Kong and Macao, a 15.6-fold increase from the previous year. Mainland residents accounted for 210,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips, up 27.2% year-on-year. The top three destinations for mainland residents were Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Starting March 29, Hunan's airports began implementing new schedule for the summer-autumn air transport season. Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport now operate approximately 160 and 100 international passenger flights per week, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 25% and 35%. With the further expansion of the route network, passenger traffic at these ports is expected to reach new heights.

A spokesperson for the Hunan General Station of Immigration Inspection introduced that to address the continuously rising passenger flow peak, the general station has guided the Changsha and Zhangjiajie Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection Stations to scientifically deploy personnel, dynamically adjust customs clearance passages, and fully open inspection counters. Additionally, a coordination mechanism has been established with airports and airlines to ensure safe and smooth clearance. Meanwhile, the general station's "12367 Women's Service Team on Learning from Lei Feng" has leveraged the National Immigration Administration's 12367 service platform to provide 24/7 language services in Chinese, English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Korean. The team also collaborates with local culture and tourism departments to organize volunteer activities, fostering a warm and harmonious border clearance environment, and ensuring that both domestic and international travelers "arrive smoothly and depart with satisfaction."

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan 

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn