China expands visa-free access to Japan, Bulgaria and other countries

It will also extend the visa-free stay period to 30 days from 15 days for citizens of all 38 countries within its visa-free program, state television CCTV reported.

China has previously granted visa-free arrangements for South Korea and some European countries to boost tourism and trade amid a sluggish economy.

China welcomed an estimated 95 million inbound tourists in the first nine months of this year, representing a 55.4% year-on-year increase, according to the Xinhua News Agency. This figure is equivalent to 93.4% of the inbound tourist numbers for the same period in 2019.

To further accommodate international visitors, the Chinese government has mandated that major tourist attractions accept a range of payment methods, including foreign bank cards, QR codes, and cash.