-- In late October, with support from the China National Tourist Office in Toronto, North American travel company TripToGo took 117 tourists on a “Chilling in China” trip across Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong.
Visa-free policy pays off as inbound travel grows
China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to 50 countries, including Canada, and 240-hour visa-free transit to 57 countries, including the US. Brian Tan, TripToGo’s senior vice president, said China tour bookings are up tenfold year on year. About 10 of the group members are repeat visitors to China.
A four-stop itinerary showcasing a microcosm of China
Themed “Historic Capital–Modern Metropolises–Picturesque Southern China–Dynamic GBA,” the journey began with the Great Wall, Hutongs, and a drumming ceremony at the Drum Tower in Beijing. They then took in the Pudong skyline, cruised the Huangpu River, and visited the Shanghai Museum. In Suzhou and Hangzhou, they enjoyed Kunqu opera, West Lake, a rowboat ride along Pingjiang Road, and tea picking at the Meijiawu plantation—all capturing a poetic essence. Hong Kong offered the Avenue of Stars, the Peak Tram, the Victoria Harbour light show, and the Wine & Dine Festival—a taste of China’s economic momentum.
From observers to storytellers: people-to-people diplomacy takes root
The journey turned tourists into storytellers—actions speaking louder than words. Tan noted: “They will take these wonderful memories home and invite more friends and family to explore the real China.”
Canadian tourism media professional Earl Lince called reaching the Great Wall’s summit “a huge sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.” Travel creator Praveeni Perera praised Shanghai’s old-new blend and classical architecture as “a beautiful experience.” TV host Carlos Bustamante said learning Kunqu opera was “like being entertained while learning history.” Guinness World Record-holding chef Wallace Wong called his “hometown,” Hong Kong, a place where “East meets West, tradition meets modernity, and culture meets enterprise—with a futuristic vibe,” adding that “whatever you want, you can find it here.”
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China’s drive to become a tourism powerhouse will keep yielding visa-free dividends—drawing more foreign visitors to know China and making inbound tourism a vivid, warm example of people-to-people diplomacy.
Amity between nations lies in the closeness of their peoples.Every cross-border journey builds bridges. An open, inclusive, prosperous, and hospitable China opens its arms to friends from afar.
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