For years, it felt like every Australian and their dog was taking a holiday to Japan – in fact, over a million Aussies took a trip to the country last year.
But as tourist crowds have started to overwhelm the cities, savvy travellers are instead looking toward other destinations for their next holiday.
China is becoming increasingly popular with Aussie tourists. iStock
Enter: China. Though it’s not by any means a ‘hidden gem’ or ‘underrated’ country, it certainly isn’t as high on as many peoples’ wish lists as places like Japan and Bali.
But Skyscanner search data shows that China is rapidly gaining momentum among Australian travellers, with flight searches up 44 per cent year-on-year – more than Japan.
Similarly, Wendy Wu Tours reports that 2026 China bookings are up more than 100 per cent year-on-year, showing just how much interest Aussies have in exploring the country.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) backs this up, too: visits to China have increased by 16.5 per cent over the past year according to travel data.
So why China, and why now?
It’s a relatively affordable country to visit, able to be reached from Australia via a direct flight, and it offers rich cultural experiences and locations that feel fresh and undiscovered.
Simon Bell, Managing Director of Wendy Wu Tours Australia, said demand for China is “driven by shifting perceptions as the country modernises. This growing visibility is fuelling curiosity among Australian travellers and a desire to experience it first-hand.”
Not only are first-time visitors being enticed to head to China, but repeat travellers are also increasingly looking beyond the traditional highlights to explore even more.
Unlike more well-known touristy hotspots, China allows travellers to fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
There’s more to China than the cities. iStock
Melbourne-based Shaun has travelled to China over 50 times for work in the last 20 years, and continues to extend his travels so he can explore more of the country outside his business trips.
“China being such a large and diverse country there is always opportunities to experience somewhere new,” Shaun told nine.com.au.
There’s the ancient culture and history in places like the Great Wall and Army of Terracotta Warriors, the bustling metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai, hiking in places like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (which inspired the scenery of Avatar), the beach resort areas of Yalong Bay and tropical islands of Hainan, and the vibrant street food scene found across the country.
People are surprised by China’s beaches, which can rival Bali and Thailand’. iStock
Planning a trip to China but don’t know where to start? Shaun said you can’t go wrong with Shanghai.
“It is one of my favourite cities in the world, from the architecture of The Bund to the world-class restaurants and the department stores of Nanjing Road, it has something for everyone,” he said.
“Close to Shanghai is the city of Suzhou, famous for its picturesque gardens and canals.”
Though Shaun admitted that, at times, the language barrier can be tricky, he’s always found the locals to be welcoming and friendly to Aussies.
Suzhou is 30 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed train. iStock
Tourism to China has also increased thanks to the visa waiver program introduced by the country in 2024.
Australians looking to travel to China for short trips no longer need to obtain a visa. The move was part of a plan to help boost tourism between the two countries – and it’s worked.
Aussies can now visit China for 15 days without needing to apply for (or pay over $100 for) a visa.
