China has announced the full reopening of its borders to foreign tourists for the first time after three years of strict anti-Coronavirus measures.
The Chinese foreign ministry announced in Beijing, the country’s capital on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The ministry said; “all types of visas for foreigners will be issued again” from Wednesday.
China reopened its borders at the beginning of January primarily for business travellers and family visits. Now tourists can regularly travel to the country again, while visa-free entry to some regions is restored.
Long-term visas issued before the border closure on March 28, 2020, can also be used again, according to the statement.
Areas in China that required no visas before the pandemic will revert to visa-free entry. This will include the southern tourist island of Hainan, a long-time favourite destination among Russians, as well as cruise ships passing through Shanghai port.
Visa-free entry for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau to China’s most prosperous province, Guangdong, will also resume, a boon particularly to high-end hotels popular among international business travellers.
