On the evening of June 26, a flight arrived in Chengdu for a transit stop, with departure to Dubai scheduled for the afternoon of June 27, giving foreign travelers less than 24 hours to explore. So, what can one experience in such a short time? May, a tourist from the Philippines, chose a Chengdu itinerary: visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, enjoying tea at People's Park, and savoring local delicacies Zhong Shuijiao (dumplings in a spicy sauce).
With China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy extended to more countries and the growing excitement around the World Games 2025 Chengdu, alongside ongoing enhancements to Sichuan's exit-entry services, the province has seen a significant surge in foreign tourist arrivals. In the first half of this year, Chengdu port recorded a total of 385,400 foreign national entries, marking a 58 percent year-on-year increase. During their stay in Sichuan, foreign tourists are discovering more than just scenic landscapes and cultural heritage - many are embracing local traditions like therapeutic ear cleaning and kung fu training, immersing themselves in the province's vibrant way of life through these unique experiences.
From Improvised Itineraries to "Coming Again" Promises
In mid-June, 36-year-old Austrian photographer Dominik traveled to Shanghai for a business conference. During his stay, someone recommended Sichuan to him, particularly praising the breathtaking summer scenery of western Sichuan. Dominik immediately contacted a travel agency to arrange a five-to-six-day tour of west Sichuan, with one specific request: to travel alongside local Chinese travelers, believing that this was the way to have a more authentic experience. He ultimately joined a Chinese tourist group. Over the five-day journey, he visited spectacular sites including Siguniang Mountain, Yala Snow Mountain, Moshi Park, and Tagong Grassland alongside his fellow travelers.
Throughout the journey, the breathtaking landscapes left Dominik marveling at how "every moment was worth the trip". What made his experience even more rewarding was learning about Chinese customs through conversations with fellow group members. Some group members spoke little English, yet they looked after him attentively, discreetly checking whether he was suffering from altitude sickness or falling behind the group. On June 22, as he prepared to leave Sichuan, Dominik said wistfully, "The scenery here is beautiful and the people are kind. The Chinese people's hospitality has deeply touched me. I'll come back again in winter."
The growing accessibility of transportation has also allowed foreign travelers to stumble upon more unexpected delights during their journeys. Last year, the Zhenjiangguan to Huangshengguan section of the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway (Chengdu-Xining) began operation. The journey from Chengdudong Railway Station to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station now takes just 1 hour 39 minutes at the fastest, marking the Jiuzhai-Huanglong route's official entry into the high-speed rail era. According to official data, Jiuzhaigou scenic area received approximately 2.4656 million tourist arrivals in the first half of this year, representing a 31 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, international visitor arrivals reached about 208,100, a year-on-year increase of 71 percent.
Journalists happened to come across a tour group consisting of more than ten Dutch tourists in Songpan County, Aba Prefecture. The group had originally planned to enter Sichuan's Aba Prefecture from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, transit through Songpan to Chengdu, and then return home. Upon learning that Songpan County is home to Huanglong scenic area, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, the Dutch tourists immediately arranged a visit to this "high-altitude fairy pool". "The water here is absolutely stunning—I never expected such landscapes on the plateau," said Dutch tourist Weaver, documenting this awe-inspiring journey with his camera. Tourist Van der Ven shared a pleasant surprise: a charming old-town bistro serving authentic Western cuisine with local flair—think yak beef and mountain potatoes. Everyone had a great meal. "I really love the yak-meat pizza. It's delicious!" he raved. Due to their tight return schedule, the group couldn't visit the nearby Jiuzhaigou Valley—"We'll save this wonder for next time and come back to make it up!" they said.
Inbound Tour Product Designers and Savvy Visitors
As inbound tourism continues to gain momentum, it has given rise to a range of emerging professions. Qin Mao, a young Sichuan native, works as an inbound travel product designer. Despite having less than a year of experience in the industry, he has already orchestrated travel itineraries for numerous international visitors. "Chengdu's abundant tourism resources, frequent flight connections, and advanced high-speed rail network ensure interesting things to do and places to visit for tourists regardless of their trip duration," he said. Noting that Chengdu is a transit hub bridging the northern and southern hemispheres, he further explained to the reporter that the visa-free transit policy has successfully converted many layover passengers into tourists for local Chengdu tours, which subsequently channel them to classic travel routes across Sichuan, from its eastern cities to western mountain escapes.
The exit-entry administrations of the public security organs in Sichuan have established foreigner service stations in popular tourist areas and major international exhibition zones. These stations provide one-stop assistance, including accommodation registration, lost document processing, visa consultations, and emergency police support. Furthermore, they have collaborated with relevant departments to effectively resolve critical service bottlenecks affecting foreign visitors in key areas such as lodging, transportation, payment, and financial services. These ongoing service improvements are significantly enhancing the efficiency and convenience of international travel experiences across Sichuan.
Qin Mao flipped through his service log, sharing anecdotes with the reporter about the memorable moments of assisting international tourists.
"This Malaysian tourist visits Sichuan once a month—his goal is to explore every corner of the province," Qin Mao said. He noted that many international visitors don't travel blindly; they meticulously plan their trips and have clear preferences. For instance, when tourists request mountain hikes and kung fu lessons, he arranges itineraries to Mount Qingcheng—a perfect match for their interests.
When it comes to itinerary planning, Qin Mao shared that foreign tourists particularly prefer pairing the Giant Panda Base with the Leshan Giant Buddha in their trips. "Many visitors are well aware of Leshan's renowned culinary scene," he said. "Local specialties like sweet-skin duck, shaomai (a variety of Chinese dumplings), steamed jiaozi, and jellied tofu never fail to excite their curiosity, prompting enthusiastic exploration and tasting."
Qin Mao highlighted a British tourist's experience to the reporter, "Last year, he asked me to plan his Sichuan trip. As a first-time visitor to China, he had many concerns about food, lodging, and transportation. But after his journey, he was full of praise, delighted by the delicious cuisine, warm hospitality, and efficient transport system. It completely changed his perception." Qin Mao recently noticed on social media that this British tourist had returned to China for another visit, sharing his itinerary with the caption, "I've fallen in love with China."
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