China Buzz: Beijing ports report over 10 million border crossings in H1 2025

According to data released by the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, more than 10 million travellers passed through Beijing ports as of June 30, marking a 19.6 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, over 2.9 million were foreign nationals, up 36.5 percent from the same period last year. Foreigners accounted for 29 percent of the total border crossings.

The surge comes as China continues to roll out policies to facilitate inbound travel for foreigners to China. Between January and June, approximately 1.49 million foreigners entered the country through Beijing. Of these, more than 840,000 benefited from visa-free entry or the 240-hour transit visa exemption—twice as many as in the same period in 2024.

Tourism remained the primary reason for foreign visits, accounting for nearly half of all entries, followed by business, conferences, and family visits. 

Intern Geng Yujie contributed to this story.