A traveler approaches a check-in counter at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo provided by the Zhejiang General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection]

East China's Zhejiang province has reported a steady increase in passenger traffic at its border entry points.

In the first half of 2025, the total number of inbound and outbound entries surpassed 3.63 million, according to data from the Zhejiang General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection on July 8. This marks a 16 percent year-on-year increase, with the province reaching this figure 45 days earlier than last year.

Foreign travelers have also surged, with 480,000 international entries passing through Zhejiang's ports by June 30, accounting for 15 percent of total traffic and reflecting a 38 percent year-on-year increase.

Among foreign visitors, 120,000 benefited from the province's visa-free policies, a 158 percent increase from 2024. These policies, which include exemptions for Saudi Arabia, Oman, and a 240-hour transit visa for Indonesia, have become major factors in attracting international visitors.

Passengers wait in line at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo provided by the Zhejiang General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection]

Entries from countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand made up the largest share, with tourism and sightseeing accounting for 45 percent of arrivals. Business, conference, and family visit purposes also increased.

On the domestic side, 2.34 million Chinese nationals crossed the border, marking a 12 percent increase from the same period last year. The demand for outbound tourism, business travel, and study-related trips has remained strong, making cross-border travel smoother and more convenient.

This summer, further surges in travel are expected, particularly from family vacations and student summer camps. On June 27, Zhejiang saw a peak in daily passenger traffic, with more than 24,000 travelers crossing its borders, setting the highest single-day record for the first half.