Foreign tourists take a selfie at the Tianmen Cave Square. (Photo/Zeng Guanlin) 

As China expands its visa-free transit policy to more countries and regions and implements the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies, more and more foreign tourists are flocking to China, making "China Travel" a buzzword. China recorded 14.635 million inbound trips made by foreigners in the first half of this year, up 152.7 percent year on year, according to the National Immigration Administration.

Can foreign travelers take a "China travel" any time they wish? Let's listen to the stories of several foreign travelers, such as Joao and Rita, a couple from Portugal. 

Joao and Rita were interviewed at the tourist service center at the south entrance of Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie. Beginning from October 15, China has expanded its visa-free policy to Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia. Ordinary passport holders from these four countries are allowed to enter China without a visa and stay for up to 15 days. Thus, Joao and Rita planned this Hunan tour, with Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie as a must-visit destination.

Rita explained that, videos of the sea of clouds, glass skywalk, wingsuit flying, and parkour in Zhangjiajie have become big hits on Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms. More and more European young people choose Hunan as their "China Travel" destination. Meanwhile, foreign travelers, internet-famous bloggers or ordinary tourists, are willing to share what they see and feel on social media, including China's beautiful scenery and charming cultures. 

"Our Tianmen Mountain travel plan is based on the routes recommended by some hiking bloggers. Compared with taking photos on the square, we prefer to enjoy a 'City walk' atop the mountain, for we have to leave for Shanghai this evening and bid farewell to this fantastic fairyland," said Rita.

Rita was cautious of her footing when she walked on the glass skywalk. "Don't worry. It is safe. I saw someone bludgeoning the glass with a hammer, but it is okay. You should trust 'Made in China'," Joao comforted her softly. 

Portuguese travelers Joao and Rita take a photo on the skywalk. (Photo/Zeng Guanlin)

Saranya from Bangkok, Thailand, was enjoying her first visit to China. "I spent only two hours to learn how to pay with a cellphone," she said when she headed for Tianmen Cave on a mountain-climbing escalator.  

She praised the convenient digital life in China. On Tianmen Mountain, she used her cellphone to pay for food and coffee, as well as postcards and bracelets as souvenirs to her family and friends.

"It is amazing that I made a new friend in Zhangjiajie on WeChat. She was enthusiastic, and gave me a lot of advice for my trip," she said. 

During the three-day visa-free stay in Hunan, she visited Changsha, Yiyang, and Changde. And the following destinations will be Furong Town, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

When taking about the "special forces-style" tourism, Saranya was undaunted. She noted that China's numerous high-speed railways enable her to reach different cities fast. "I do not feel tired. Instead, distinctive scenery and cultures in different cities give me fresh experiences and make me full of energy," she added.

Thai travelers take a group photo in front of the Tianmen Cave. (Photo/Zeng Guanlin)

Li Jun is a tour guide who led a group of South Korean travelers to Zhangjiajie. "These travelers entered China through Wuhan, and then directly came to Tianmen Mountain as their first stop. They will tour Wulingyuan this afternoon," Li said. Among the foreign tourists in Zhangjiajie, the number of middle-aged and elderly South Koreans is generally more than other groups.

"I heard many people speaking Korean on Tianmen Mountain. Many South Korean people are fond of Zhangjiajie, and they recommend this place to their family and friends after they return home. I was attracted by my colleague's photos of Zhangjiajie and decided to visit this magnificent place," said a South Korean traveler.

In the first three quarters of this year, Zhangjiajie has seen nearly 1.3 million inbound trips made by foreign travelers, increasing by 255.47 percent year on year. The foreign exchange earnings from tourism have reached 358.5412 million USD, up 307.61 percent over last year. South Korea is the largest source of foreign visitors.

A foreign traveler poses for a photo at the Tianmen Cave Square. (Photo/Zeng Guanlin) 

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

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday