Hunan province has introduced a series of measures aimed at making it easier for foreign tourists to explore the region, following China's recent extension of its visa-free transit policy from six to 10 days.

繼中國最近將過境免簽政策從6天延長至10天之后，湖南推出了一系列旨在方便外國游客入境游的措施。

Eligible citizens from 54 countries transiting to a third destination can now enter China through 60 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions, an increase from 39 ports in 19 regions. Changsha and Zhangjiajie, both in Hunan, are among the newly added ports.

目前，符合條件的54國人員，從中國過境前往第三國（地區(qū)），可從24個?。▍^(qū)、市）60個對外開放口岸中任一口岸免簽來華，較之前的19個省（區(qū)、市）39個對外開放口岸有所增加，湖南的長沙與張家界即為新增口岸。

Hunan received more than 3 million international tourists last year, an over 180 percent increase year-on-year, according to Li Aiwu, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, party secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and director of the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Changsha was ranked as one of the top 100 travel destinations globally, while Zhangjiajie welcomed over 500,000 foreign visitors through international flights last year, she said.

湖南省委宣傳部副部長、省文旅廳黨組書記、廳長李愛武介紹，去年湖南接待入境游客突破300萬人次，同比增長超180%。長沙上榜“2024全球100目的地”。張家界接待入境外國游客超50萬人次。

Starting this year, the province will allow group travel with a minimum of two people and limit customs clearance time for all inbound flights to less than 60 minutes, according to a guideline issued Saturday by 18 departments, including those overseeing culture and tourism.

1月11日，包括湖南省文化和旅游廳在內的18個部門聯合發(fā)布《促進湖南入境旅游發(fā)展的十二條措施》，2025年起，實現符合條件的入境團隊旅游簽證2人即可成團，入境航班通關時間將控制在60分鐘以內。

The province also plans to add more direct flights to Asian cities, particularly in countries which are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Comprehensive service centers for international travelers will be established at airports in Changsha and Zhangjiajie, offering one-stop assistance with payment, telecommunications, transportation and other travel needs.

湖南還計劃增加更多通往亞洲客源城市的直飛航班，尤其是位于RCEP(區(qū)域全面經濟伙伴關系協(xié)定)成員國的城市。長沙和張家界機場將設立“境外人士綜合服務中心”，面向境外人士一站式提供支付、通信、交通及其他旅行需求的一站式服務。

To enhance the tourist experience, Hunan will equip major travel sites, hotels, transportation hubs, business centers, cultural venues and restaurants with foreign-language signs and standard bathrooms. The province will also hire more multilingual tour guides during peak travel seasons in Zhangjiajie and Changsha.

為提升游客體驗，湖南將在主要旅游景點、星級酒店、交通樞紐、商業(yè)中心、文化場館和特色餐飲配備外語標識標牌和標準衛(wèi)生間，并在張家界和長沙的旅游旺季期間，聘用更多多語種導游。

Li said Hunan will launch promotional campaigns in sister cities and cities with direct flights, as well as conduct variety shows abroad to attract more visitors. International celebrities will also be invited to boost tourism.

李愛武表示，湖南將在友好城市和直航城市開展推廣活動，并在海外舉辦各項節(jié)會以吸引更多游客，還將邀請國際名人助力，進行宣傳推介。

"Through these new measures, we aim to ensure international travelers have a great experience in Hunan," Li said.

“通過這些新舉措，我們旨在確保入境游客在湖南擁有美好的體驗。”李愛武表示。

In Changsha, the number of international tourists soared 118 percent year-on-year last year, according to Chen Peng, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Changsha Committee. The city plans to further improve services for international visitors, open green booking channels for group travelers at major sites and launch more high-quality international hotels.

據長沙市委宣傳部部長陳澎介紹，去年長沙接待的入境游客數量同比增長了118%。長沙計劃進一步提升對入境游客的服務水平，在主要景點為團隊游客開通綠色預訂通道，并推出更多高品質的星級酒店。

Wang Hongbin, deputy secretary of CPC Zhangjiajie Municipal Standing Committee and mayor of Zhangjiajie city, said 1.83 million international tourists from 183 countries visited the city last year, up 166 percent year-on-year.

張家界市委副書記、市長王洪斌介紹，去年張家界接待來自183個國家的入境游客達183萬人次，同比增長166%。

The city aims to establish itself as an international tourist destination by expanding its global market, inviting foreign influencers and hosting high-profile international competitions. Efforts will also focus on developing high-end resorts and mountain sports tourism while enhancing services in customs clearance, payment, language assistance and accommodation, Wang said.

王洪斌表示，張家界未來將開拓國際市場，邀請更多境外網紅來張家界踩線，舉辦更多具有國際影響力的賽事活動，創(chuàng)建世界級旅游景區(qū)。同時，還將開發(fā)更多高端度假和山地戶外運動項目，進一步優(yōu)化通關、支付、語言協(xié)助及住宿等服務。

"We want to ensure visitors experience the unique natural beauty, folk culture and exciting tourism products that Zhangjiajie has to offer," he added.

“我們希望確保游客能夠體驗到張家界獨特的自然美景、民俗文化和精彩的旅游項目。”王洪斌表示。