Into China's dreamscape beyond the clouds

Against the backdrop of towering, otherworldly sandstone pillars and peaks at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan province, a group of inbound tourists stands transfixed, their eyes soaking in the sweeping, mist-shrouded landscape.

The park is a core part of the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. These surreal karst formations and peak forests are said to be the inspiration for the floating Hallelujah Mountains in director James Cameron's Hollywood blockbuster, Avatar.

"I'm thrilled to visit China and experience its rich culture. The landscapes here are diverse and the mountains are magnificent. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says Lea Sutter, a ceramist from France. Her journey was made seamless by China's 30-day unilateral visa-free policy.

Australian tourist Jared Gaskell shares the same feeling. "This policy allows me to easily visit this wonderful country. What drew me to China was seeing many social media posts about its picturesque scenery," he says.

He takes the 326-meter-high Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor lift on a sheer cliff face. It carries tourists to the top in about two minutes, unveiling a panorama of the national forest park's towering sandstone pillars and peaks.

"The outdoor elevator is absolutely amazing, I can't believe how fast it is and the breathtaking views that I see," he says.

In early November, China announced the extension of its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries to Dec 31, 2026, as previous arrangements for some nations were set to expire at the end of 2025.

Boosted by visa facilitation policies, rich cultural and tourism activities and improved services, "China Travel" continues to gain momentum among inbound tourists.