Yichang reports strong growth in inbound tourism
2025-09-17 20:09:36
By Hu Yikai.
From January to August, Yichang welcomed 290,000 international visitors, up 33 percent from a year earlier. Tourism revenue rose 35 percent to 900 million yuan (US$125 million). According to China’s leading online travel platform Ctrip.com, bookings for Yichang-bound international trips climbed 33 percent in visitor numbers and 34 percent in revenue, both ranking second fastest in Hubei Province.
Since mid-2024, the Yichang Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has promoted the city in key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It also organized eight tours for over 300 international travel agencies, with major operators from South Korea and the US joining.
"We see more visitors from long-haul markets like the US, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the UK," said Zhou Di, general manager of Omega Travel. "During the May Day holidays, we served six tour groups on average each day from Europe and America."
The growth comes with China's expanded visa-free policy, which now allows 240-hour stays for citizens of 47 countries. Six international and regional routes at Yichang Sanxia International Airport have also made the city more accessible to global travelers.
From January to August, Yichang welcomed 290,000 international visitors, up 33 percent from a year earlier. Tourism revenue rose 35 percent to 900 million yuan (US$125 million). According to China’s leading online travel platform Ctrip.com, bookings for Yichang-bound international trips climbed 33 percent in visitor numbers and 34 percent in revenue, both ranking second fastest in Hubei Province.
Foreign tourists take photos in Yichang. Photo from the Yichang Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
Since mid-2024, the Yichang Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has promoted the city in key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It also organized eight tours for over 300 international travel agencies, with major operators from South Korea and the US joining.
"We see more visitors from long-haul markets like the US, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the UK," said Zhou Di, general manager of Omega Travel. "During the May Day holidays, we served six tour groups on average each day from Europe and America."
The growth comes with China's expanded visa-free policy, which now allows 240-hour stays for citizens of 47 countries. Six international and regional routes at Yichang Sanxia International Airport have also made the city more accessible to global travelers.
