According to recent reports from the Beijing Cultural and Tourism Bureau, the city welcomed a remarkable 2.719 million international tourists in the first three quarters of this year, reflecting a significant year-over-year increase of 207.8%.
Among these visitors, over 500,000 came from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, while the majority—2.214 million—were foreign tourists, accounting for more than 80% of the total. The top source countries for these foreign tourists were the United States and Russia, followed closely by Japan, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia, each with numbers exceeding 100,000.
September marked a record month for inbound tourism, with Beijing receiving 384,000 visitors, the highest this year, indicating a clear upward trend. As international travel continues to rebound, there is a notable shift from purely sightseeing trips to deeper experiential and cultural-themed journeys.
Travel agencies and online platforms report that many international visitors favor multi-stop itineraries and in-depth tours, with popular destinations including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghai. Tourists often choose to spend 4 to 5 days in Beijing to fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
While visiting iconic landmarks, these travelers are increasingly focused on exploring local culture, engaging in immersive experiences, and customizing unique travel routes. This shift reflects a growing preference for in-depth exploration over traditional sightseeing.
Landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Beijing Central Axis remain popular attractions. New tourism products, such as the “Beautiful Central Axis” sightseeing bus and bike tours, also attract foreign visitors, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s heritage and charm.
Additionally, Beijing has embraced modern conveniences, with over 100 countries and regions now able to use foreign bank cards for subway access, allowing tourists to conveniently travel around the city.
