Content creator at Guangdong tourism event says 240-hour visa-free stay is too short

Why it matters: China has been widening its visa-free entry schemes, and the length of stay allowed is a key factor for foreign travellers planning trips. Longer limits let visitors add secondary cities and regions to a single trip, which matters for places like Guangdong that are courting overseas tourists beyond the main gateways.

China is drawing more international visitors as visa-free policies make entry easier for eligible travellers. Guangdong is trying to capture that interest by promoting its modern cities, coast and traditional culture.

The country recorded 154.5 million inbound tourist visits in 2025, up 17.1 percent from a year earlier, according to official data. Foreign nationals made 30.08 million visits under visa-free policies, an increase of 49.5 percent.

Guangdong recorded 7.266 million visits by foreign tourists in the first half of 2026, up 49.2 percent year on year.

Travel agents and influencers from 55 countries and regions gathered in Chikan Ancient Town in Kaiping, a county-level city in Jiangmen in southern Guangdong, for an inbound tourism event and a carnival billed as "Guangdong Magical Night."

During the visit, Christopher Boidy, an international content creator, said 240 hours is not long enough and expressed hope that the visa-free stay could be extended.

"China has so much to offer, and all it takes is a willingness to engage with the local culture," Boidy said.

The 240-hour limit, equal to 10 days, is the maximum stay currently available under some of China's visa-free transit arrangements. Visitors covered by such policies must enter and leave within the permitted window.