China is now visa-free for Europeans

As the fourth largest country in the world, China has a vast area of diverse landscapes.

It is bordered by 14 other nations and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east; here, you’ll find towering mountain ranges, expansive plateaus, fertile plains, lush forests, and vast deserts.

Some of China’s record-breaking geographical landmarks include the Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain range; the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia; and the Gobi Desert, one of the world’s most expansive deserts.

After three years of closed borders due to COVID, China’s domestic tourism industry has experienced a robust post-pandemic rebound.

The South China Morning Post reports that domestic tourists spent approximately 633 billion yuan (€80.55 billion) over the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday period.

China’s travel restrictions were lifted early last year, but international travel has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, something the country hopes to change.

China recently introduced visa-free entry for citizens of seven European countries and Malaysia. Four more European nations have been added to the list as the country tries to encourage more people to visit for business and tourism.

Get off the beaten track in China
Most first-time visitors make a beeline for Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an, but several other provinces should also be added to your China bucket list.

The province of Yunnan in Southwest China has always been a “tourist paradise”, according to Fang Limin from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government attaches “great importance to the development of culture and tourism industry”, Limin explains.

They are “cultivating and building culture and tourism industry as one of the province’s five trillion-dollar industries.”

In recent years, Yunnan has improved its infrastructure and launched new cultural heritage tours, eco-tourism, and science tourism.

With a drive to increase tourism offerings in China, now is the time to visit this vast, culture-filled country to experience food, heritage, nature and high-speed trains.

Here’s why you should consider China as your 2024 holiday destination.

The dishes you have to try in China
Take a flavour-filled culinary journey through China’s diverse regional cuisines this year. In Beijing, try succulent Peking that combines duck tender slices of roast duck served with thin pancakes, spring onions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce.

In Sichuan, brace yourself for the fiery kick of dishes like mapo tofu and hotpot, while in Xi’an, indulge in the city’s renowned hand-pulled noodles and flavourful lamb skewers.

Head south to Guangzhou, the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, and indulge in dim sum delicacies like steamed dumplings, barbecue pork buns, and crispy spring rolls.

Remember also to explore the vibrant night markets of Shanghai, where you can feast on street food favourites like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), scallion pancakes, and stinky tofu.

Where to see wildlife in China
To spot incredible wildlife, head to the province of Yunnan, in China’s south-western corner.

It’s home to 250 species of mammals, along with indigenous fish and reptiles. Yunnan is also the most bird-rich of any Chinese province, with over 800 species recorded.

This forest-rich province is a haven of biodiversity. Here, you’ll find the Southeast Asian gaur, a giant forest-dwelling bovine, Box Turtles, the Indochinese tiger, and Asian elephants.

According to Limin, in addition to its wildlife, the province’s lush landscapes and focus on eco-tourism have made it an “increasingly popular destination for outdoor sports and the preferred destination for international competitions.”