Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Macau Drive Shenzhen’s Surge in International Visitors in 2025 Boosted by Expanded Visa-Free Entry and Greater Bay Area Integration

In 2025, Shenzhen is witnessing a significant rise in international visitors, primarily from Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Macau. This surge is driven by China’s expanded visa-free entry policies that have streamlined travel and increased accessibility to the city. Furthermore, Shenzhen’s strategic position within the Greater Bay Area—an influential economic and innovation cluster encompassing Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macau—has boosted its attractiveness as a hub for both business and leisure. These combined factors are drawing a diverse mix of tourists and professionals, accelerating Shenzhen’s emergence as a key gateway for global travel and commerce in the region.

According to recent reports from Chinese state media, visitors arriving in Shenzhen come not only from the neighboring special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau but also from a range of Asian countries. Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore rank among the top sources of foreign tourists, highlighting Shenzhen’s rising profile as a key international gateway.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has been at the forefront of this influx. The airport has registered over one hundred fifty-two thousand visa-free entries by foreign nationals so far this year. This figure represents an extraordinary year-on-year increase of more than one hundred sixty percent. In addition to visa-free arrivals, the total number of foreign passenger entries surged by fifty-four point six percent compared to the previous year, reaching over five hundred thirty-one thousand. These impressive statistics underscore Shenzhen’s growing appeal as both a business and leisure destination.

To accommodate and further stimulate this rise in visitors, Shenzhen has expanded its international flight network. A new direct route connecting Shenzhen to Dubai is scheduled to commence in July, broadening the city’s connectivity to the Middle East. Alongside this, multiple other international routes have been introduced or expanded during 2025. These include flights to important regional hubs such as Vientiane in Laos, Osaka and Tokyo in Japan, Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, and Hanoi in Vietnam. These new routes not only facilitate tourism but also strengthen Shenzhen’s ties as a global commercial and logistical center.

Shenzhen’s appeal to international travelers is multifaceted. As the home base for major technology corporations and a central hub for manufacturing and trade, the city attracts business visitors from around the world. Its modern urban infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, and proximity to Hong Kong—one of the world’s leading financial centers—make Shenzhen an attractive destination for professionals. Additionally, the city offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other major Asian metropolises, enhancing its allure for longer stays and weekend visits alike.

The surge in Shenzhen’s international arrivals is closely linked to China’s broader policy shift on travel. After more than three years of pandemic-related restrictions, China began easing entry requirements in late 2023. One of the most impactful changes was the expansion of visa waiver programs to include a wider range of countries and nationalities. Additionally, a 240-hour visa-free transit policy was implemented at the end of last year, allowing eligible travelers to stay within designated areas without a visa for up to ten days. These reforms have played a critical role in reigniting tourism, business travel, and international exchanges.

Data from the National Immigration Administration illustrates the impact of these policy changes on China’s overall travel landscape. In 2024 alone, over twenty million travelers entered China under visa-free arrangements—more than double the number recorded in 2023. The total number of inbound and outbound trips last year reached approximately six hundred ten million. Of these, around sixty-five million involved overseas visitors, reflecting an eighty-three percent increase over the previous year. This surge signals a strong recovery trajectory for the country’s travel and tourism sector.

Despite these encouraging trends, international travel volumes to China have not yet fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, foreign travelers accounted for nearly ninety-eight million out of six hundred seventy million cross-border trips. The difference highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the global travel industry, including lingering travel uncertainties and shifting tourism patterns. Nonetheless, Shenzhen’s rapid growth in visitor numbers demonstrates the city’s rising importance as a gateway for international tourism and commerce.

Looking ahead, Shenzhen is expected to continue expanding its global connections and tourism offerings. With additional infrastructure developments, further international flight additions, and sustained government support for visa-free entry, the city aims to solidify its position as a key international destination in Asia. This will not only benefit Shenzhen’s economy but also contribute to the broader goals of the Greater Bay Area initiative, promoting deeper regional integration and enhanced global competitiveness.

Shenzhen’s surge in international visitors from Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos, Thailand, UAE, Hong Kong, and Macau in 2025 is driven by expanded visa-free entry policies and its growing prominence within the Greater Bay Area, boosting its appeal as a top business and travel hub.

In summary, Shenzhen’s surge in international visitors in 2025 reflects a successful combination of strategic location, expanded visa policies, and robust infrastructure growth. As China continues to open its doors wider to the world, Shenzhen stands out as a shining example of how innovation, accessibility, and regional collaboration can drive tourism and business growth in a post-pandemic era.