(Yicai) Jan. 24 -- China’s visa-free entry policy and the global appeal of Chinese New Year have sent homestay bookings by foreign tourists soaring by more than three times, with major cities and cultural destinations seeing a surge in popularity.

Bed and breakfast reservations made by non-Chinese passport holders have soared 230 percent from a year earlier, while the number of listed properties that welcome foreigners has increased by almost a third, according to China’s Airbnb-like platform Tujia. Harbin, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are the most popular city breaks.

China has been easing the visa entry requirements for certain countries since last year in a bid to boost inbound tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic. Visa waivers are now available to the ordinary passport holders of 38 countries, allowing them to stay in China for up to 30 days without needing a visa.

Driven by the ‘China Travel’ boom, many overseas tourists are expected to visit the country to experience the Chinese New Year celebrations first hand, according to travel agency Tongcheng.

Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival in China, is celebrated with vibrant cultural and festive activities and is one of the most important events in the country’s calendar. This year, the holiday runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, lasting eight days.

Most foreigners will enter through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, according to Tongcheng. Cities renowned for their history and culture, including Xi'an, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou, are also popular destinations.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added the Chinese New Year to its cultural heritage list last year, prompting many cities in China to plan related cultural activities this year.

Beijing will host more than 5,600 cultural and tourism events during the Spring Festival, while Suzhou will bring together more than 200 intangible cultural heritage items from across China and hold special garden events. Along with silk embroidery and food, Suzhou is famous for its classical Chinese gardens.

Tongcheng’s data also shows that Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xi’an are the most popular destinations for hotel bookings over the break.

Editor: Martin Kadiev