@入境游客：旅游签证两人也能成团！湖南发布“促入境游十二条”

Hunan province has introduced a series of measures aimed at making it easier for foreign tourists to explore the region, following China's recent extension of its visa-free transit policy from six to 10 days.

继中国最近将过境免签政策从6天延长至10天之后，湖南推出了一系列旨在方便外国游客入境游的措施。

Eligible citizens from 54 countries transiting to a third destination can now enter China through 60 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions, an increase from 39 ports in 19 regions. Changsha and Zhangjiajie, both in Hunan, are among the newly added ports.

目前，符合条件的54国人员，从中国过境前往第三国（地区），可从24个省（区、市）60个对外开放口岸中任一口岸免签来华，较之前的19个省（区、市）39个对外开放口岸有所增加，湖南的长沙与张家界即为新增口岸。

Hunan received more than 3 million international tourists last year, an over 180 percent increase year-on-year, according to Li Aiwu, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, party secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and director of the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Changsha was ranked as one of the top 100 travel destinations globally, while Zhangjiajie welcomed over 500,000 foreign visitors through international flights last year, she said.

湖南省委宣传部副部长、省文旅厅党组书记、厅长李爱武介绍，去年湖南接待入境游客突破300万人次，同比增长超180%。长沙上榜“2024全球100目的地”。张家界接待入境外国游客超50万人次。

Starting this year, the province will allow group travel with a minimum of two people and limit customs clearance time for all inbound flights to less than 60 minutes, according to a guideline issued Saturday by 18 departments, including those overseeing culture and tourism.

1月11日，包括湖南省文化和旅游厅在内的18个部门联合发布《促进湖南入境旅游发展的十二条措施》，2025年起，实现符合条件的入境团队旅游签证2人即可成团，入境航班通关时间将控制在60分钟以内。

The province also plans to add more direct flights to Asian cities, particularly in countries which are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Comprehensive service centers for international travelers will be established at airports in Changsha and Zhangjiajie, offering one-stop assistance with payment, telecommunications, transportation and other travel needs.

湖南还计划增加更多通往亚洲客源城市的直飞航班，尤其是位于RCEP(区域全面经济伙伴关系协定)成员国的城市。长沙和张家界机场将设立“境外人士综合服务中心”，面向境外人士一站式提供支付、通信、交通及其他旅行需求的一站式服务。

To enhance the tourist experience, Hunan will equip major travel sites, hotels, transportation hubs, business centers, cultural venues and restaurants with foreign-language signs and standard bathrooms. The province will also hire more multilingual tour guides during peak travel seasons in Zhangjiajie and Changsha.

为提升游客体验，湖南将在主要旅游景点、星级酒店、交通枢纽、商业中心、文化场馆和特色餐饮配备外语标识标牌和标准卫生间，并在张家界和长沙的旅游旺季期间，聘用更多多语种导游。

Li said Hunan will launch promotional campaigns in sister cities and cities with direct flights, as well as conduct variety shows abroad to attract more visitors. International celebrities will also be invited to boost tourism.

李爱武表示，湖南将在友好城市和直航城市开展推广活动，并在海外举办各项节会以吸引更多游客，还将邀请国际名人助力，进行宣传推介。

"Through these new measures, we aim to ensure international travelers have a great experience in Hunan," Li said.

“通过这些新举措，我们旨在确保入境游客在湖南拥有美好的体验。”李爱武表示。

In Changsha, the number of international tourists soared 118 percent year-on-year last year, according to Chen Peng, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Changsha Committee. The city plans to further improve services for international visitors, open green booking channels for group travelers at major sites and launch more high-quality international hotels.

据长沙市委宣传部部长陈澎介绍，去年长沙接待的入境游客数量同比增长了118%。长沙计划进一步提升对入境游客的服务水平，在主要景点为团队游客开通绿色预订通道，并推出更多高品质的星级酒店。

Wang Hongbin, deputy secretary of CPC Zhangjiajie Municipal Standing Committee and mayor of Zhangjiajie city, said 1.83 million international tourists from 183 countries visited the city last year, up 166 percent year-on-year.

张家界市委副书记、市长王洪斌介绍，去年张家界接待来自183个国家的入境游客达183万人次，同比增长166%。

The city aims to establish itself as an international tourist destination by expanding its global market, inviting foreign influencers and hosting high-profile international competitions. Efforts will also focus on developing high-end resorts and mountain sports tourism while enhancing services in customs clearance, payment, language assistance and accommodation, Wang said.

王洪斌表示，张家界未来将开拓国际市场，邀请更多境外网红来张家界踩线，举办更多具有国际影响力的赛事活动，创建世界级旅游景区。同时，还将开发更多高端度假和山地户外运动项目，进一步优化通关、支付、语言协助及住宿等服务。

"We want to ensure visitors experience the unique natural beauty, folk culture and exciting tourism products that Zhangjiajie has to offer," he added.

“我们希望确保游客能够体验到张家界独特的自然美景、民俗文化和精彩的旅游项目。”王洪斌表示。