Foreign Tourists Skip Beijing and Shanghai for Rural China
Monday, 2026/09/14178 words3 minutes528 reads
China's famous cities remain important stops for foreign visitors, but interest in rural travel is growing. A CNA report described tourists visiting places such as Xingping in Guangxi and villages in Yunnan. They were drawn by landscapes, local food, traditional culture and a slower pace.
China welcomed nearly 23 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2026, according to the National Immigration Authority. That was a 20.4% increase from a year earlier. A 2025 Trip.com report found that inbound bookings at its affiliated rural retreats rose 50% year-on-year. This is evidence of growing interest, but it does not show that every foreign visitor is avoiding big cities.
Tourism researchers told CNA that improved infrastructure has made many villages easier to reach. High-speed rail and upgraded rural roads can put villages within a few hours of major cities. Travel videos on TikTok and Xiaohongshu have also helped people find smaller places.
The experience still has challenges. Language barriers, local dialects, transport and payment systems can make remote travel difficult. Some visitors use a tour guide or translation apps.
