Hefei boosting image as high-tech powerhouse

On the morning of Jan 26, just days before the Spring Festival holiday, flight KE135 touched down at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport in Hefei, East China's Anhui province.

The flight carrying 166 passengers had departed from South Korea. Among them was Elyse, a traveler from the United States, who was making her first-ever journey to China.

As she stepped off the plane and approached the immigration counter, she quickly applied for the newly introduced 240-hour temporary entry permit.

She had finished the whole process in just a few minutes and was cleared by Customs, becoming another foreign visitor to enter Hefei under the new visa-free transit policy in 2025.

China announced in December a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the period of stay for foreign travelers from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.

Eligible citizens from 54 countries and regions, including Russia, Brazil, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free. These travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports, including Anhui's Hefei and Huangshan, across 24 provincial-level regions.

"This is my first time in China. The new policy is incredibly convenient," said Elyse.

Seizing the opportunity of a holiday break, Nazli Gul Gurlek, a student from Turkiye, was eagerly preparing for her friends' visit to Hefei.

But she wasn't just taking them to the usual tourist hotspots — she had a surprise.

"I want them to see something different, something futuristic," she said.

At the top of her list was Luogang Central Park, widely known as Luogang Park, an urban marvel that blends nature with cutting-edge technology. Built on the former site of an international airport, Luogang Park has been transformed into more than just a scenic escape.