The Chinese government on Monday, September 19, published a draft regulation aimed at developing border tourism and making it easier for foreigners from neighboring countries to enter China.
According to the draft document published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China on Monday, September 19, tourist groups organized by travel agencies will be able to travel to the border regions of China. At the same time, tourists will supposedly be allowed to determine the entry and exit points themselves, that is, it can be assumed that it will be possible to cross the border in different places. Details on the timing of the entry into force of the innovation and the list of permitted countries have not yet been received.
China closed its borders to foreign tourists at the very beginning of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy. Few have managed to “leak” into China over the past two years, perhaps only those with valid special visas.
This summer, the Chinese government significantly tightened its COVID-19 control restrictions to contain the spread of the Omicron strain. In September, full or partial quarantines were introduced in many metropolitan areas.
So, according to the new project, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit China’s border tourist sites, but only as part of tourist groups.
However, it is not specified whether travelers will still have to comply with the requirements of China’s current quarantine for foreign travelers – one week of isolation in a hotel and three days of self-monitoring at home.