Xi'an has been designated a key city for inbound tourism development, according to a plan approved by the State Council to build China into a tourism-strong nation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

International tourists visit Grand Tang Mall. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

As of July 24, the number of foreign nationals entering and exiting via Xi'an Port has exceeded 300,000 this year, hitting a record high, accounting for 30.6 percent of total inbound and outbound travelers. More than 120,000 international visitors have benefited from visa‑free policies, representing a year‑on‑year increase of 31 percent and making up 87 percent of all foreign arrivals.

With the commissioning of Terminal 5 at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, the number of border‑inspection lanes has risen from 42 to 72, greatly boosting customs clearance capacity. To date, Xi'an operates 63 international and regional passenger air routes connecting 55 key cities across 27 countries. Meanwhile, IT‑driven customs clearance has achieved comprehensive efficiency gains. The online completion rate for foreign nationals' arrival cards stands at 96 percent, and one‑stop expedited processing is available for temporary entry permits.

International visitors ride bikes on the Xi'an City Wall. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Payment convenience has become a key factor shaping the inbound consumption experience. On June 9, the Shaanxi Comprehensive Inbound Service was launched at T5 of Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. Integrating one‑stop access to services including policy consultation, cultural‑tourism booking, and foreign‑currency exchange, it addresses shortcomings in inbound‑visitor services.

By the end of 2025, more than 1,100 foreign‑card POS terminals had been installed at major scenic spots, commercial districts, and tourism venues across Xi'an, fully covering overseas card consumption needs. On April 17, Xi'an, together with Alipay and Bank of China, launched the innovative one‑click tax‑refund service for inbound consumption, cutting the tax‑refund arrival time from the previous 20 minutes to a minimum of 2 minutes.

Xi'an Joy City provides tax-refund services. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Xi'an will continue to improve the quality of inbound tourism services and strive to create a high‑quality "Chang'an Experience", accelerating its development into a world‑class tourist destination.