Chongqing evolving as world travel hub

Boasting a futuristic skyline, a vibrant nightlife and a distinctive culinary scene, Chongqing is establishing itself as an international tourism hub and accelerating its transformation into a world-renowned culture-related tourism destination, according to Vice-Mayor Dan Yanzheng.

"Culture-related tourism has played a crucial role in attracting visitors and business opportunities to Chongqing," said Dan, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

In 2024, China eased its visa policies to enhance openness and foster people-to-people exchanges, allowing more foreign tourists and business travelers to enter the country visa-free.

Dan credits these policies for a surge in Chongqing's inbound tourism market, which experienced remarkable growth last year. The city welcomed 1.27 million inbound tourist visits, a year-on-year increase of 183.6 percent, and ranked among the top Chinese travel destinations on TikTok.

"Most travelers come from Southeast Asian countries," he noted.

Last year, Chongqing's cultural industry generated added value of 145.27 billion yuan ($20 billion), marking a 5.6 percent increase from the previous year. The tourism sector contributed added value of 140.13 billion yuan, reflecting 7.4 percent year-on-year growth.

As a gateway to China's vast inland regions and a major manufacturing hub, Chongqing was designated as the country's fourth municipality in 1997, following Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Covering an area comparable to Austria and five times the size of Beijing, the city is home to more than 32 million people.

With its advanced transportation systems, striking architecture and unique urban landscape, Chongqing has rapidly evolved into a modern cosmopolitan center. The city seamlessly integrates a futuristic skyline with 3,000 years of preserved history, offering something for every type of traveler.

"In recent years, the local government has prioritized culture-related tourism development, aiming to position Chongqing as a world-class destination and a national leader in high-quality tourism growth," Dan said.

These efforts include strengthening collaboration with neighboring Sichuan province to develop the Bashu Cultural Tourism Corridor, introducing signature tourism products showcasing the city's mountain and river landscapes — the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the Wuling Mountain region — and fostering innovative tourism brands such as the large-scale musical Chongqing 1949 and the local food promotion campaign "360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavor".

"Through a series of strategic marketing campaigns and refined tourism management measures, Chongqing has built a strong reputation as a travel hot spot. Many media outlets have recognized it as 'China's Most Hospitable City'," Dan said.

During recent peak travel seasons, local authorities temporarily converted a major bridge over the Jialing River into a pedestrian-only walkway to enhance the visitor experience, allowing tourists to better enjoy the scenic river views. In addition, Chongqing residents received text alerts from authorities advising them to avoid popular tourist attractions to alleviate congestion and accommodate travelers.

To attract more international visitors, Chongqing is rolling out an inbound tourism promotion plan to enhance travel accessibility and service quality.

The initiative includes expanding direct international flight connections to major cities in Europe and the Americas, ensuring one-day travel accessibility, and upgrading language services and payment systems.

"We extend a warm invitation to the world and aspire to make Chongqing a premier destination for global travelers exploring China," Dan said.

This year, Chongqing is also vying to become the headquarters of the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance to further elevate its international influence.

The Greater Mekong Subregion holds strategic geographical significance, lying at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, South Asia and China's southwestern region. Rich in water, biological and mineral resources, the region boasts vast economic potential and promising development prospects.

"As a city of mountains and rivers, Chongqing is poised to take its place at the heart of the global tourism map," the vice-mayor said.