Increasing numbers of visitors travel to Henan province to take in its profound historical and cultural heritage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, is experiencing a sharp rise in foreign tourists, driven by expanded visa-free policies and growing international appeal, solidifying Zhengzhou's role as a key gateway for international travelers.
The number of inbound and outbound foreign tourists in Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport exceeded 9,600 during the recent 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a roughly 98 percent rise from the same period last year, data from the Zhengzhou Immigration and Inspection Station showed.
Zhang Yi, director of the station, said the number of foreign tourists entering Henan province through visa-free policies exceeded 2,700 during this year's travel rush, representing an increase of 287 percent compared to last year.
She highlighted that this growing influx reflects the province's increasing appeal as a global destination and provided strong support for expanding foreign trade and economic exchanges.
A British passenger surnamed Qi, departing from Zhengzhou Airport, commended the city's development and lively New Year ambiance and recognized its increasing international appeal, according to a report from Henan Daily.
Increasing numbers of visitors travel to Henan province to take in its profound historical and cultural heritage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Ji Dakai, a senior commissioner at the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone's port management bureau, highlighted the impact of the new visa-free policy on international tourism.
With the 240-hour visa-free policy, foreign visitors can now engage in deeper cultural exploration, such as in neighboring cities like Luoyang and Kaifeng, which have a long history and rich cultural heritage. Thus, he said, it helps them better understand the province and strengthens Zhengzhou's internationalization.
He added that foreign visitors can maximize their experiences not only in tourism but also in trade and business opportunities.
Along with the growing number of inbound tourists, Zhengzhou also witnessed increasing foreign trade.
The statistics showed the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone recorded an import and export value of 409.4 billion yuan ($56.14 billion) in 2024, with cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaling 25.88 billion yuan, achieving a 55.8 percent year-on-year increase.
Qu Huaqiao, an official of Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, said: "Henan is a province with a profound historical and cultural heritage, and also a rapidly developing economic hub."
He said Zhengzhou's international connectivity has played a crucial role in this development. The city's airport links major destinations across Europe and Asia, facilitating greater openness. Platforms like 1688's global cross-border wholesale center—its only comprehensive site worldwide—allow foreign buyers to source products seamlessly, further cementing Zhengzhou's role as a global trade hub.
