Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wang Na) news: On July 15, 2025, just after dawn, Urumqi Tianshan International Airport's arrival hall was already busy. Officers at the counters greeted each traveler with a smile, checked documents, and asked kindly, "Any special plans for this trip to China?"

Photo taken on July 14, 2025 shows passengers queue up to complete entry procedures at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Lu Bin)

With the continuous optimization of entry-exit policies and the deepening of Xinjiang's international exchanges, the volume of entry-exit passengers at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport has grown rapidly this year. The airport had just hit a new milestone: by July 14, total passenger crossings for the year had passed 500,000, up 65.2 percent from the same period last year and 77 days earlier than in 2024. About 24 international and regional flights now land or take off here every day, carrying more than 3,500 passengers in and out.

Luo Minxuan, deputy head of the first service team at Urumqi Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station under Xinjiang Exit-Entry Border Inspection General Station, stated that as of this year, the number of foreign nationals entering China through Urumqi Tianshan International Airport has reached over 146,000, 1.3 times the figure for the same period in 2024. Among them, more than 39,000 have benefited from the visa-free policy.

Tourism remains the primary purpose for foreigners visiting China, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total, followed by attending conferences, business activities, and visiting relatives or friends.

In terms of Chinese residents' entry and exit, travelers from other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities stand at over 305,000, a year-on-year increase of 72.4 percent. Meanwhile, visitors from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan reach more than 46,000, up 227 percent from the same period last year.

On July 14, Kazakh traveler Mahbuba Mushabek arrived with his child for a holiday and family visit. "There are more flights from Kazakhstan to Xinjiang now, and the visa-free policy makes everything faster," he said. "We'll definitely be coming more often."

Summer travel is pushing numbers even higher. The airport has just added two new routes, namely Urumqi-Tianjin-Osaka and Urumqi-Shymkent, on top of the existing 24. Group and family tours now make up over 60 percent of outbound trips, with the five Central Asian states and the three Caucasus countries the top destinations, Luo said.

Photo taken on July 14, 2025 shows police officers are on duty at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Lu Bin)

To keep traffic flowing smoothly during the peak, border officers work closely with the airport and other agencies. They monitor passenger flow in real time, open more inspection lanes when needed, and station officers with strong language skills at help desks to assist foreign visitors. Special lanes give priority to children, elderly travelers, and anyone in urgent need, ensuring safety and speed for every passenger.

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