During the recent National Day holiday, border tourism surged in popularity among travelers. Many flocked to border regions to take in stunning views of national gateways and enjoy the unique thrill of stepping into two countries at once.
Iconic locations like the Millennium Fortification at Friendship Pass and the historic artillery site at Jinjishan became top destinations for vacationers. On October 7, the final day of the holiday, reporters at the immigration hall of Friendship Pass noted long lines of eager visitors waiting to enter or exit. From October 1 to 7, more than 70,000 travelers passed through Friendship Pass, with the days from October 2 to 4 setting a new five-year record for daily visitor numbers.
The Dongxing Port, the busiest land border crossing between China and Vietnam, also saw a significant uptick in activity. Over the week-long holiday, the Dongxing border checkpoint processed over 150,000 travelers, reflecting a 29.1% year-on-year increase. At the Detian Waterfall scenic area in Guangxi, visitor numbers soared, averaging over 20,000 daily. The stunning waterfalls created a dreamlike atmosphere. To better cater to international guests, local police stationed at the Shuo Long Border Police Station offered multilingual services, providing timely assistance and detailed information.
In Yunnan, the Mohan Port along the China-Laos Railway experienced considerable growth due to its speed and convenience. During the National Day holiday, the Mohan railway port handled over 6,400 travelers and managed 26 train services, marking increases of 163.8% and 85.7%, respectively, when compared to the previous year. As cross-border travel continues to rise, Mohan Port has welcomed over 183,000 visitors this year, a remarkable 67.9% increase from last year.
The trend of cross-border island tourism is also gaining traction. In Shidao, Shandong, the accessibility provided by cruise ships has led to a 30% increase in visitors from Japan and South Korea this year.
One Korean traveler shared, “This trip has been fantastic! Weihai’s scenery is beautiful, the food is abundant, and the customs clearance was smooth. The border officials were patient and thorough in guiding us. The service was warm, and I will definitely come back to China!”
