Mainland Chinese Not Going to Japan! The Place That's Drawing 17 Million Chinese Tourists Back, Affordable, Fun, and Rich in Experience—Also Loved by Taiwanese Travelers

The China Tourism Academy, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, released in July the latest results of its '2025 Top 10 Most Satisfactory Overseas Destinations for Chinese Outbound Tourists' survey. Macau secured the top spot for the second consecutive year, praised for its high-quality tourism services and experiences. Hong Kong climbed from 6th to 4th place last year, indicating significant improvements in service standards that have gained recognition.

2025 Top 10 Most Satisfactory Overseas Destinations for Chinese Tourists

According to the rankings released by the China Tourism Academy, the top 10 most satisfactory destinations for Chinese outbound travelers in 2025 are:

- Macau - New Zealand - Australia - Hong Kong - Argentina - Spain - Singapore - Italy - France - United Kingdom

Strong Performance by Hong Kong and Macau

- Macau Wins Top Spot for Two Consecutive Years: Macau successfully retained the satisfaction crown, with its tourism experience highly praised by mainland Chinese visitors. - Hong Kong Rises Significantly: Hong Kong moved up from 6th to 4th place. Industry insiders note this reflects continuous improvement in the city's overall tourism service quality.

Hong Kong Sees Surge in Visitor Numbers; Calls for Learning from Macau's Success

With improved travel convenience between regions, Hong Kong's tourism data shows strong performance. According to the latest statistics from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the cumulative number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first five months of this year reached 22,989,794, a 14.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for over half, totaling 17,670,354.

Regarding Hong Kong's improved ranking, the Ta Kung Pao cited opinions from tourism industry insiders, noting that while service quality has improved, Hong Kong could benefit from learning from Macau's development model. The industry recommends that Hong Kong continue enhancing infrastructure for 'deep tourism' and further optimize overall consumer and travel experiences to attract more repeat visitors.

Additionally, according to statistics from Taiwan's Tourism Administration, while Japan remains the top overseas destination for Taiwanese travelers, 'Hong Kong' ranked within the top four, attracting 1,503,216 Taiwanese visitors in 2025.

Why Do Mainland Chinese Tourists Love Visiting Hong Kong?

Mainland Chinese tourists (referred to as 'Lu Ke') are drawn to Hong Kong primarily due to its geographical advantages, shopping and consumption appeal, emotional connection to film and pop culture, and convenient tourism policies.

### 1. Geographical and Transportation Convenience

Hong Kong is adjacent to the Greater Bay Area, placing it within a 'one-day living circle' for residents of Guangdong Province and southern China. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail connects directly to West Kowloon Station, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge has made land travel faster and more convenient, significantly reducing time and transportation costs.

### 2. Shopping and Consumption Advantages

Hong Kong does not impose tariffs or value-added taxes, making prices for branded products (such as luxury goods, cosmetics, and electronics) highly competitive. Pharmacies, ginseng and dried seafood shops, and imported medicines and food products enjoy high trust among mainland tourists due to strict regulatory oversight.

### 3. Nostalgia for Hong Kong Cinema and Pop Culture

Hong Kong films (e.g., 'Chungking Express,' 'A Better Tomorrow') and TV dramas have accompanied generations of mainland Chinese tourists. Iconic photo spots include the Central Mid-Levels Escalator, the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok's streets, and the night view from Victoria Peak.

### 4. Convenient Visa Policies and International Urban Atmosphere

Individual tourist (self-guided travel) visa endorsements are available in multiple mainland Chinese cities. Mainland visitors holding onward flight tickets to a third country can also enjoy a 7-day visa-free transit policy. Moreover, Hong Kong blends Lingnan traditional culture with British colonial heritage, offering a highly internationalized experience in dining, exhibitions, and entertainment (e.g., Hong Kong Disneyland).