Hunan Tops Central China in Exit-Entry Trips in 2024

According to data from the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, Hunan's ports of entry handled 1,629,000 inbound and outbound trips in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 times. About 967,000 such trips, accounting for 59%, were made by foreign tourists, marking an increase of 1.6 times from the previous year and 14% over the record set in 2019. Hunan's total number of exit-entry travelers, and foreign arrivals and its proportions all topped among central regions in China.

In 2024, a total of 484,000 inbound trips were made by international arrivals from 141 countries at Hunan's ports of entry. This includes 40% visa-free entries, amounting to 196,000 trips. About 55% of the foriegn visitors were from South Korea, with the highest proportion. Following South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia were major sources of foreign tourists to Hunan.

Changsha Huanghua International Airport has launched 15 international passenger flight routes connecting to 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as eight international freight routes serving eight countries. In 2024, the airport handled 1,066,000 cross-border trips, a year-on-year increase of 1.2 times and hitting a record high in five past years. 41% of the trips were made by foreigners, up 1.8 times year-on-year. 

Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport has opened 11 international passenger flight routes to and from 8 countries and regions in Asia. The number of inbound and outbound trips increased 1.5 times to a record high of 563,000, up 57% over the record set in 2019. About 95% of the trips were made by foreign visitors, ranking first among airports across the country.

According to a spokesperson for the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, in 2025, with the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy in Changsha and Zhangjiajie airports and the introduction of a series of policies attracting foreign tourists to Hunan, Hunan's ports of entry will see a growing number of inbound and outbound passengers. The Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection will take initiatives to provide convenient government services and ensure smooth customs clearance.

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

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn