Musk family praises China travel amid growing global interest

(ECNS) -- U.S. entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently encouraged people to visit China, describing the country as “awesome” in a social media post. 

His mother, Maye Musk, echoed his comments, praising China’s diverse cultural attractions, clean streets and sense of safety.

She also described people in China as polite, hardworking and respectful, saying she had enjoyed traveling around the country. 

Maye Musk visited several Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Suzhou, Huzhou and Shanghai, during a trip to China in March 2023. 

Their comments come as China continues to attract growing numbers of overseas visitors.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the country recorded more than 22.91 million foreign arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 20.4% year on year. Visa-free entries reached 17.815 million, accounting for 77.7% of all foreign arrivals.

With 240-hour visa-free transit available to travelers from 55 countries, many foreign visitors are venturing beyond traditional attractions such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and giant pandas to explore more technology-focused experiences, including robot shows, rocket launches and new energy vehicle factories.

Shopping has also become an increasingly important part of the China travel experience. Overseas visitors are buying products ranging from cooling gadgets and smart devices to customized clothing, drones and trendy collectibles.

In the first half of 2026, Shanghai Customs processed 253,000 tax refund applications from overseas visitors, nearly three times the number recorded a year earlier.

Beijing Customs also handled more than 131,000 tax refund forms at the city’s two airports in the first seven months of the year. The total value of goods covered by the refunds reached about 1.055 billion yuan ($147 million), up 45.01% year on year.

The trend has also helped popularize the online term “Chinamaxxing,” which broadly refers to adopting aspects of Chinese lifestyles, culture and consumer trends.

Young people overseas have shown growing interest in practices and products associated with China, from drinking hot water and traditional wellness routines to Chinese television dramas and travel in the country. 

From simply “seeing China” to actively “experiencing China,” the growing popularity of travel to the country points to deeper cultural, technological and lifestyle exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

(By Helen Mo, intern Liu Shuangjing)