SZ backed to build world-class tourist city

International tourists celebrate Chinese New Year in Dapeng in February. During this year’s Spring Festival holiday, Dapeng New District received 878,000 visitors, generating 633 million yuan (US$88 million) in tourism revenue. Courtesy of Dapeng tourism authority

Guangdong Province supports Guangzhou and Shenzhen's mission to build world-class travel destinations and further facilitate border inspections for international travelers, according to a new package of 20 measures to promote high-quality development that was unveiled by the provincial government today.

Under the new measures, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport will offer 24-hour direct transit services for international travelers without the need for border checks. Specifically, foreign travelers with international connecting flights scheduled within 24 hours will be able to transit through these two airports to a third country or region without undergoing immigration procedures.

A tour group from Zhongshan poses for a group photo in front of the Bay Glory Ferris wheel in Bao’an District. Bao'an Daily

Sightseeing routes featuring iconic bridges such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are being planned, which are expected to become new tourism highlights in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

According to the measures, the province aims to record over 950 million tourist visits by 2027, with total tourism revenue exceeding 1.3 trillion yuan (US$179 billion). It also seeks to lead the nation in overall tourism competitiveness and establish itself as a high-level tourism powerhouse.

The province plans to develop two or three world-class tourist attractions and resorts with international influence, leveraging its popular World Heritage sites and national-level scenic spots.

The MSC Bellissima cruise ship embarks on its maiden voyage of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport in Shekou on June 29, 2024. Courtesy of MSC

Additionally, it will construct a high-level coastal tourism economic belt and vigorously promote cross-island tourism, driving the development of high-end coastal tourism projects such as cruises, yachts, sailboats, diving, and sea fishing.

Moreover, the province will advance the development of water-based sports and sightseeing industries, including river and lake cruises as well as yachts, and will promote the free movement of yachts between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The 144-hour visa-free entry policy for foreign tour groups entering the Pearl River Delta region and Shantou City via Hong Kong and Macao will also be further optimized.

Travelers pass through immigration at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.  Xinhua

With its iconic skyscrapers, bilingual services, and advanced amenities like drone food delivery and efficient international card payments, Shenzhen is attracting more visitors.

Official statistics show Shenzhen as one of the top four travel destinations in China. There were over 1.6 million views and 26,000 posts about the city on YouTube in 2024. A total of 556,000 international tourists entered China via Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in 2024, an 114.8% increase over 2023.
Source：ShenzhenDaily