China Travel News You Might Have Missed, Dec 12

Irene Li, Associate Editor | Dec 12, 2023 3:46 pm | Add a comment | 338 reads

China Slashes Visa Fees to Boost International Tourism: In an exciting announcement on Friday, the Chinese government unveiled plans to reduce visa fees for incoming travelers by 25 percent, reports NIKKEI Asia. This strategic move aims to entice a larger influx of international tourists.

Starting from Dec 11 and running until Dec 31, this offer will be available at all Chinese embassies worldwide, as per the details released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wang Wenbin, the Ministry spokesperson, conveyed China's commitment to making international travel easier, according to the report. He stated, "We are eager to collaborate with various countries to foster a more conducive atmosphere and offer increased convenience for effortless global travel."

Hunnu Air Amplifies Sino-Mongolian Connectivity and Boosts Beijing Daxing's Global Network: The initiation of Hunnu Air's Flight MR801, now linking Beijing Daxing International Airport to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ushers in a new era of Sino-Mongolian air connectivity, according to China Daily. This tri-weekly service, operational on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, amplifies diplomatic, economic, and cultural interplay between the two nations, while streamlining business, tourism, and academic travel.

This addition enhances Beijing Daxing's global network, which presently spans over 30 locales, featuring Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The airport, now a hub to over 20 domestic and international carriers, enables direct flights to key cities like London, Amsterdam, Moscow, Doha, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and even the Maldives.

In its quest for expansion, Beijing Daxing anticipates welcoming more airlines, such as HK Express, aiming to offer passengers a broader spectrum of international travel choices.

Singapore and China Initiate 30-Day Mutual Visa Exemption to Boost Tourism: In a move to enhance travel and tourism, Singapore and China are set to introduce a 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement in early 2024, reports Reuters. This agreement, confirmed by both Singapore and China's foreign ministries, aims to simplify travel procedures and encourage visits between the two nations. This step is not just a milestone in their bilateral relations but a significant boost to travel and tourism, promising easier and more frequent exchanges between Singapore and China. The mutual visa exemption is set to open new possibilities for leisure and business travelers alike.

Beijing Unveils New Signage and Smart Map for Great Wall Route: On Dec 8, the Beijing Great Wall National Scenic Route unveiled 72 new tourism transport signs at 62 key points in Mentougou district, reports China Daily. This is part of the ten major projects of the Great Wall National Cultural Park, spearheaded by key city departments. The 445-kilometer route, stretching from Mentougou district through six other districts, encompasses over 30 tourist hotspots, including famed Great Wall sections like Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, and more than 20 national rural tourism sites. An innovative smart tourism map was launched online to accompany the route announcement. These initiatives are aimed at making navigation simpler for tourists, enhancing their overall travel experience, and subsequently boosting cultural and tourism consumption.