According to the draft document published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China on Monday, September 19, tourist groups organized by travel agencies will be able to travel to the border regions of China. At the same time, tourists will supposedly be allowed to determine the entry and exit points themselves, that is, it can be assumed that it will be possible to cross the border in different places. Details on the timing of the entry into force of the innovation and the list of allowed countries have not yet been received.
China closed its borders to foreign tourists at the very beginning of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was just emerging. Few people managed to “leak” to China over the past two years, perhaps only to those with valid special visas.
This summer, the Chinese government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions significantly to contain the spread of the Omicron strain. In September, full or partial quarantines were introduced in many megacities.
So, according to the new project, foreign tourists will be allowed to visit China's border tourist sites, but only as part of tourist groups.< /p>
True, it is not specified whether travelers will still have to comply with the requirements of China's current quarantine for foreign travelers — one week of hotel isolation and three days of self-monitoring at home.
China shares borders with 14 countries, including Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.