Over the past few years, Japan has been one of the most popular Asian destinations for Australian tourists. However, nowadays, more Australian tourists are looking for new Asian destinations. China is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many people.
According to a report by the Australian media website 9News on July 13, data from the travel search platform Skyscanner shows that the number of searches for flights to China by Australian tourists has increased by 44% year-on-year, surpassing Japan in terms of growth. Additionally, Wendy Wu Tours, an Australian travel agency specializing in Asia, stated that the number of travel reservations in China has increased by more than 100% since the beginning of this year.
According to tourism data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of times Australian tourists visited China also increased by 16.5% over the past year.
The report indicates that China is not traditionally considered a “hidden destination”. However, for a long time, compared to popular Asian destinations like Japan and Bali, China has not been on the list of preferred choices for many Australian tourists. But now, this situation is changing.
Foreign Tourist Taking Photos & Checking In at Beijing's Ancient Architecture. IC Photo
Why are more and more Australians starting to consider China?
The report suggests that relatively affordable prices, direct flights between Australia and China, as well as diverse cultural and natural landscapes are important factors that contribute to the increasing popularity of tourism to China.
Wendy Wu Tours Australia's Director-General, Simon Bell, said that the growing demand for tourism in China is 'due to changes in people's perception of China's modernization development'. As China becomes more well-known overseas, more tourists are eager to experience this country firsthand.
This increasing visibility is sparking Australian tourists' curiosity. He said.
The report also mentioned that China is attracting not only first-time visitors, but also some tourists who have already been to China and are exploring more unconventional routes.
For many Australian tourists, China's attraction lies in its diversity. From the Great Wall in Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, to international metropolises like Shanghai; from the mountain and water landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, to the beach resorts in Hainan, China offers a tourism experience different from that of Japan and Southeast Asia.
A Australian tourist from Melbourne, Shaun, has visited China over 50 times in the past 20 years due to work. He said that China is a vast country with rich culture, and even after multiple visits, there are still new places worth exploring.
He particularly recommends that first-time visitors to China should visit Shanghai. “From the architecture of the Bund, to world-class restaurants, and then to the shopping malls on Nanjing Road, Shanghai can meet the needs of different tourists.”
In addition, Suzhou near Shanghai is also recommended due to its garden and water town landscapes. It takes only about 30 minutes by high-speed train to travel between the two places.
Reports indicate that language differences remain a challenge for some tourists. However, Sean says he has always felt the warmth and hospitality of Chinese locals towards Australian tourists.
Another factor that has contributed to the increase in Australian tourists visiting China is China's visa-free policy introduced in recent years. Since 2024, Australian tourists traveling to China for short stays no longer need to apply for a visa in advance, and they can stay up to 15 days without a visa. This measure is considered to have effectively lowered the barriers to tourism.
