Editor's note: Liu Mengling is an opinion editor with CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As severe heatwaves continue to grip much of the Northern Hemisphere this summer, more travelers are turning to China in search of a cool escape.

In Shenzhen's bustling Huaqiangbei electronics markets in south China, foreign visitors can be seen carrying handheld fans and iced drinks, browsing for the latest heat-beating gadgets. For many, China has become a summer destination in its own right.

And their numbers are growing rapidly. According to China's National Immigration Administration, more than 22 million foreign nationals entered China in the first half of 2026, up 20.4% year on year. Notably, Europe has emerged as one of the fastest-growing source markets. Among the top 20 inbound tourism source countries and regions this summer, European markets accounted for nearly 30%, with bookings up 275% from a year earlier.

A 'cooler' ecological environment

Climate is one major reason behind this boom. With heatwaves becoming a recurring feature of summer in recent years, China's climate diversity is emerging as a competitive advantage. Stretching from the tropics to the cold temperate zone and spanning elevations from coastal plains to the "Roof of the World," China offers a diverse combination of tropical coastlines, alpine plateaus, temperate forests and vast grasslands, giving international travelers an unusually broad menu of respite destinations from the heat.

Of course, geography alone cannot explain China's growing appeal. An interesting story lies in what international visitors discover once they arrive.

For many travelers, the first attraction is the scenery itself. Take Xinjiang and Xizang, for example. Since June, flight bookings to the historical city of Kashgar in Xinjiang have increased elevenfold from a year earlier, and Nyingchi in Xizanghas recorded a 2.7-fold rise. While tourists are amazed by the breathtaking landscapes, decades of environmental restoration have helped preserve the ecosystems that make these destinations unique.

Xizang, for example, has incorporated over 600,000 square kilometers of land – over half of its total area – into ecological protection zones. In Xinjiang, once an arid frontier region in the northwest, the oasis areas have expanded by 56.6%.

The appeal of China's scenery therefore is not a gift of nature alone, but also due to steadfast efforts in ecological protection and environmental governance. By preserving natural resources and making them more accessible, China has transformed ecological advantages into tangible tourism appeal, enabling more people to experience firsthand landscapes that were once beyond reach.

A cooler travel experience

A spectacular scenery is only the beginning of the story. What determines whether visitors stay longer – and return – is the experience China offers.

This year, "China Travel" has quickly evolved beyond traditional sightseeing into a broader experience of "China Lifestyle." Landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City remain iconic, but more visitors are now exploring how people live in China. Taking high-speed trains across cities, paying through mobile platforms, ordering food with a few clicks, and wandering through night markets are increasingly becoming part of what makes "China Travel" cool.

Kunming, the southern city known as the "city of eternal spring" because of its rejuvenating temperate climate year-round, shows this shift. For international travelers, a perfect day in Kunming may start with a visit to the Dounan Flower Market, the largest flower trading market in Asia selling over 300 species at a fraction of the cost elsewhere thanks to efficient logistics and transportation networks. You can pay using international credit cards or your mobile payment accounts, making payments, a common barrier for foreign travelers, hassle-free.

The same convenience extends beyond cities. Visitors can book high-speed rail tickets online and venture outside the city within an hour, exploring the local culture and cuisine.

What makes these experiences stand out is not any single service, but the way different aspects of daily life connect seamlessly: Efficient transport, convenient payment, diverse consumption options and a safer social environment ensure visitors can move in China with fewer glitches. According to official statistics, the number of criminal cases nationwide fell 12.8% in 2025 year on year, the lowest this century, and people’s satisfaction with public security has remained above 98% for six consecutive years.

These everyday experiences are what global travelers highlight when describing their time in China.

A greater sense of certainty

From booking a train ticket to paying for a meal with a quick scan, the ability to move freely and confidently is an important part of the travel experience. This also helps explain why this summer's surge in international visitors to China is more than a seasonal trend – it reflects a broader shift in how the outside world experiences the country.

Behind this growing sense of ease are government policies and systems that make travel more accessible. China has continued to relax its visa policy as part of its high-standard opening-up efforts, implementing unilateral visa-free entry for citizens from 50 countries and full mutual visa exemption with 29 countries. The result is already visible. In 2025, for example, visa-free arrivals accounted for 73% of all foreign entries.

With greater certainty, more tourists are arriving in China where they see the convenience of everyday life, an open and hospitable society connected with the widerworld, and the tangible outcomes of the country's modernization. The appeal of China is, therefore, not only found in a cooler summer, but in the growing sense of certainty that comes with experiencing China firsthand.

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