On July 11th, twelve tourists from Australia, the Netherlands, Argentina, Russia, and other countries entered China through the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, They are the first group of international transit passengers to experience Guangzhou's free one-day tour in 2024.

Starting today, the transit tour counter at the arrivals hall in Terminal 2 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is open to the public. Foreign passport holders transiting through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can sign up for the free tour to experience the charm of the city.

At the departure ceremony for the first group, the international tourists received a simple but warm welcome, along with a beautifully crafted Guangzhou embroidery gift. They were thrilled and eagerly anticipated the upcoming tour of Guangzhou.

"We were exhausted after the journey, but now we are very excited! CHINA, Guangzhou, here we come!" said Phillip Kemsley and his wife from Australia. They passed through Guangzhou 11 years ago but hadn't had the chance to explore the city. Upon hearing about the free one-day tour service for international transit passengers, they signed up and felt honored to visit some of Guangzhou's iconic attractions.

Led by an English-speaking guide, the tourists strolled through the streets and alleys, savoring the rich Lingnan culture of this ancient commercial city in an immersive experience.

"Foreign tourists are particularly interested in Guangzhou's history, culture, and ancient architecture. The intricate architecture of Chen Clan Academy captivated them, and the skyscrapers at Flower City Square left them in awe. They were also full of praise for the Cantonese dim sum, enjoying egg tarts, shrimp dumplings, fried noodles, and rice noodle rolls," said Li Jian, the tour leader and a gold medal guide from GZL International Travel Service Ltd.

On June 18th, the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau announced a new policy for international transit passengers, offering free one-day tour services in conjunction with the 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

The one-day tour in Guangzhou primarily features city sightseeing routes showcasing the city's historical and cultural heritage. To make it easy for international tourists to explore Guangzhou, a series of free services are provided, including tourist buses, English-speaking guides, site visits, and dim sum lunches.

For instance, the first group of tourists visited Flower City Square, Cantonese Tower, Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou Opera House, and Guangzhou Library, experiencing the modern urban landscape of Guangzhou. They then visited Chen Clan Academy to delve into the essence of traditional Lingnan architecture. Finally, they toured Yuexiu Park and enjoyed a delicious Cantonese dim sum lunch. After a roughly six-hour tour, they returned to Baiyun International Airport in the afternoon to continue their original journeys.

According to the National Immigration Administration, the first half of 2024 saw 14.635 million foreigners enter China through various ports, a year-on-year increase of 152.7%. Among them, 8.542 million entered through visa-free policies, a year-on-year increase of 190.1%. According to data from travel portal Qunar, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Chongqing, Kunming, and Qingdao are the top ten popular destinations for foreign travelers flying within China.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

12名国际中转旅客开启广州免费一日游

7月11日，来自澳大利亚、荷兰、阿根廷、俄罗斯等地的12名国际游客通过144小时过境免签政策入境，成为今年首批体验广州免费一日游的国际中转旅客。

据悉，即日起，广州白云机场T2国际抵达厅的中转游柜台起正式对外开放，持有外国护照并在广州白云机场进行国际中转的旅客都可以免费报名参与，感受广州的城市魅力。

首团出发仪式现场，国际游客受到了简单而隆重的欢迎，并获赠一份精美的广绣礼物。国际游客在收下这份惊喜的同时，对即将开启的广州城市游览充满期待。

“虽然旅途奔波很累，但我们感到很兴奋！CHINA、羊城，我们来了！”来自澳大利亚的Phillip Kemsley夫妇曾在11年前路过广州，但未曾游玩。听说广州向国际中转游客推出免费一日游服务，他们特地在行前报名，能在广州游览一些代表性的景点，他们感到很荣幸。

游客们在英文导游的带领下“穿街走巷”，以走读的方式品味广州这座千年商都，沉浸式体验丰富的岭南文化。

“外国游客对广州的历史文化以及古老建筑尤其感兴趣，陈家祠的精美建筑吸引了他们的注意，摩天大楼云集的花城广场也让他们震撼，对于广式点心更是赞不绝口，蛋挞、虾饺、炒面、肠粉都很喜欢。”首团领队、广之旅金牌导游李健告诉记者。

今年6月18日，广州市文化广电旅游局发布面向国际中转旅客的新政策，结合144小时过境免签政策，向国际中转游客提供免费一日游服务项目。

广州一日游产品以展示广州历史文化为主线的城市观光线路为主。为了让国际游客能轻松游广州，所提供的旅游巴士、英文导游、景点参观以及点心午餐等一系列服务均为免费。

以首团游客行程为例，他们先后来到花城广场，参观了广州塔、广东省博物馆、广州大剧院和广州图书馆，领略广州的现代都市风貌；接着参观陈家祠，深入了解岭南传统建筑文化的精髓；最后游览越秀公园，并享用美味的粤式点心午餐，约6小时的行程结束后，当天下午返回白云国际机场，继续接下来的行程。

国家移民管理局发布的数据显示，今年上半年，全国各口岸入境外国人1463.5万人次，同比增长152.7%。其中通过免签入境854.2万人次，同比增长190.1%。据去哪儿平台统计，外国旅客在中国乘飞机的热门目的地前十位为广州、上海、北京、深圳、成都、杭州、西安、重庆、昆明、青岛。

文、图 | 羊城晚报记者 刘星彤 实习生 许顺瑾
翻译 | 赵凡