Since last summer holiday, it has been very difficult to reserve an entry ticket for the Forbidden City and it has been even more challenging coming to 2024. Missing the Forbidden City, some visitors left Beijing with great regret while others just cancelled their trip to Beijing or even China. It’s time to recover the maximum passenger flow of 80,000 each day, which has been reduced to 30,000 during the covid-19 pandemic. More solutions, like extend the open time can be taken to meet the travel needs of the many.

The visa-free stay in China for Singaporeans will be extended from 15 days to 30 days since February 9, 2024. Thai passport holders will also be granted 30-day visa-free stay since March 1, 2024. These measures aim to attract more overseas visitors to China. TravelChinaGuide is offering 10% discount on 2024 and 2025 tours to help their distinguished guests to save big.

Recent research on a turtle shell-like bronze item dug out from Sanxingdui Site proved the adoption of welding technique back to 2,600-4,800 years ago, pushing the world’s welding history forward 2,000 years. However, it is still unknown how ancient Sanxingdui people weld the different bronze parts together, which is an uneasy thing even today.

On November 24, 2023, China's Foreign Ministry announced on a press that the visa-exemption policy will be offered to 6 more countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. Regular passport holders of these countries can travel to and stay in China for up to 15 days from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024 without a visa, on the premise that they come here for traveling, business purposes, or visiting families and friends.

On November 9, 2023, two China pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian returned to their hometown in Chengdu after living in US National Zoo for 23 years. Their kid, Xiqo Qi Ji was on the same flight with his parents. At present, US keeps only 4 pandas in Atlanta Zoo, who will be returned soon next year in 2024. If you want to closely interact with these cute animals, come to China and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will be your first choice, which is a paradise for over 230 pandas!

From October 9, 2023 on, foreigners in China can make an appointment on the official website of China Immigration Administration for visa extension or other visa issues and application of China Residence Permits. Also, they could inquire about the progress of the application on it after successful submission. Those holding a Permanent China Residence Permit (China Green Card) can also search for more information of the document and their passport, so as to handle bank, tax and more issues in China more conveniently.

China will not ask for covid-19 tests any more from inbound visitors since August 30, 2023. By then, all restrictions concerning covid-19 pandemic will have been lifted, simplifying the entry procedures to China. In addition, easier visa application process, more international flights, electronic payment for overseas tourists and more policies have been carried out to ease inbound visitors.

On July 26, 2023, 15-day visa-free travel to China for Singapore passport holders will be activated, announced by China Embassy in Singapore on July 23, 2023, which has been suspended after the outbreak of covid-19. This is applicable for those coming to China to do business, visit scenic spots, reunite with families or relatives, or connect flights.

China declared to increase the visa fee to China from the original USD 140 to USD 185 for US citizens since May 30, 2023. This fee increase will not include the J1/ J2 visa. At present, visa applications to China in the US are in very great demand and travelers are suggested to make a visa application appointment at least 3 months in advance for a smooth journey.

Since April 29, 2023, China will remove the PCR tests entry requirement and travelers only need to offer a negative self-testing antigen results within 48 hours. In addition, airlines will not check PCR tests or antigen results anymore. International travelers only need to declare it to China customs by filling out a form on the official web page or China Customs’ app.