A tourist group listens to a tour guide introduce the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on Jan. 16, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

To enhance the visitor experience for international travelers, Trip.com Group launched the "Beijing Express" free layover tour service in December 2024. This program offers free half-day tours to popular cultural landmarks, coinciding with the recent expansion of China's visa-free transit policy.

This policy, which now allows eligible foreign travelers to stay in China for up to 10 days, has significantly boosted inbound tourism.

"This program aims to provide tourists with a taste of Beijing's charm and inspire them to explore China further," said Xiao Fenfei, director of China Inbound Project Management, Trip.com Group.

Two groups of international tourists explored Beijing's Badaling Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Qianmen Street and Tiananmen Square on Jan. 16, 2025.

Tourists at Badaling Great Wall in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

At the Badaling Great Wall, visitors expressed awe at its magnificence. "It's beautiful. It's always been my dream," said Karolina Rasikova, a tourist from the Czech Republic.

Filip Lucassen, another Czech tourist, remarked that the grandeur of the Great Wall deepened his appreciation for the wisdom and perseverance of the ancient Chinese builders. He said, "The name fits; it's great, it's a wall, and it's very impressive."

A tourist poses for a photo with her child on the Great Wall in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

A tourist family poses for a photo in traditional Chinese clothing on the Great Wall in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025 [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

At the Temple of Heaven, visitors were captivated by the intricate architecture and vibrant colors. They engaged with Chinese culture by trying their hand at calligraphy and interacting with locals dressed in traditional attire.

A staff member teaches a tourist how to write Chinese calligraphy at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025 [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

"I like the blue and gold details. It's very aesthetically pleasing," said Taiku Bruno, an Italian tourist, while admiring the architecture of the Temple of Heaven.

Italian tourist Taiku Bruno takes pictures of the architecture at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025 [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Tourists pose for a group photo with the Chinese calligraphy they wrote at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Jan. 16, 2025 [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

According to Zhang Chengjie, head of Commercial Operation, Marketing, Trip.com Group, Beijing has become an increasingly popular destination for international travelers, with Singapore, South Korea, the United States, Russia and Thailand being the top source markets.

"The top five favorite scenic spots in Beijing among foreign tourists are the Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Universal Beijing Resort," Zhang said.

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