Inbound tourism in Qingdao has continued to gain strong momentum this year, reflecting the city's steady progress in opening up its cultural and tourism sector. Official data show that 443,000 inbound visitors entered through Qingdao's ports of entry in the first half of the year, an increase of 56.23 percent year on year. The total number of inbound arrivals has already exceeded the figures recorded during the whole of 2024 and the first three quarters of 2025 combined, highlighting Qingdao's growing appeal as an international tourism destination. As a leading coastal city in northern China and the core city of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, Qingdao is leveraging more convenient entry policies, well-developed international transport links and distinctive tourism resources to shift inbound tourism from visitor recovery to high-quality growth.
The city has introduced a range of measures to make travel easier for international visitors, including the unilateral visa-free policy, mutual visa exemption arrangements and the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. More than 80 percent of international visitors are now eligible to benefit from these policies, significantly simplifying entry procedures.
Supported by Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and the Port of Qingdao, the city's international transportation network continues to expand. The airport now serves 110 destinations, while the Qingdao–Seoul route offers frequent daily flights with a travel time of just one and a half hours. This high-frequency shuttle-style air service has made Qingdao an increasingly popular weekend getaway for South Korean travelers.
Qingdao has also continued to improve the visitor experience through more convenient consumption services. The city has fully implemented the instant departure tax refund upon purchase program, expanded the number of participating tax refund stores and streamlined application procedures. At the same time, international payment services have been upgraded to support a wider range of overseas payment methods, making shopping and spending more convenient for international visitors.
Qingdao's tourism offerings are distinguished by their diverse coastal experiences. Drawing on attractions such as Laoshan Mountain, Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area, the city has developed immersive travel experiences including coastal cycling and seaside hiking. Signature attractions such as the Qingdao International Beer Festival and cruise vacations have earned broad international recognition, while diversified tourism products—including urban wellness tourism and niche leisure experiences—cater to the travel preferences of visitors from different countries.
Meanwhile, Qingdao continues to strengthen its presence in key source markets, particularly Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Through overseas cultural and tourism promotion events, influencer familiarization tours and international cultural exchange activities, the city is steadily expanding its global visibility. Today, Qingdao ranks among China's Top 10 inbound tourism destinations and has been designated as a national key city for inbound tourism development, further reinforcing its reputation as a leading international coastal tourism destination in northern China.
Editor: Song Bohong/ Wang Yulin
