With the continued refinement of China's visa-free policies and pro-consumption measures, both inbound and outbound travel flows are gaining momentum during the Spring Festival period. A number of the country's large passenger inspection ports are expected to experience peak traffic volumes accordingly.

The average daily volume of inbound and outbound trips during this year's Spring Festival holiday is expected to surpass 2.05 million, up 14.1 percent year-on-year, data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) showed on Thursday.

Major international airports will see a significant rise in passenger traffic. Outbound travel peaks are expected to occur on about February 15, which is the Spring Festival, while inbound travel peaks will likely occur on February 22 and 23.

During this period, the average daily numbers of inbound and outbound passenger trips at major airports such as the Shanghai Pudong International Airport will reach 104,000, followed by the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with 57,000, and the Beijing Capital International Airport with 43,000, the NIA said.

During the Spring Festival period, in addition to popular short-haul international and regional destinations such as Hong Kong, Macao and countries in Southeast Asia, long-haul international travel to the Middle East and Europe has also gained strong traction at the Beijing Daxing International Airport. Meanwhile, driven by favorable visa-free policies, Russia has emerged as a highly sought-after option in the outbound tourism market.

The Beijing Daxing International Airport has increased its direct flights to Russia, making it the Chinese airport with the most direct flights to Russia, according to data sent to the Global Times.

Currently, nine Chinese and Russian airlines operate routes to nine Russian cities, including Moscow, Vladivostok and Irkutsk. The number of passenger flights between Daxing and Russia is expected to reach 58 per week.

Passenger flows at land ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao are expected to remain relatively stable, with peaks anticipated to come around February 18 and 19. Shenzhen's Luohu port will see 209,000 passenger crossings, followed by Futian port with an expected 182,000 passenger crossings, the NIA said.

Cities across China have rolled out a diverse range of cultural tourism offerings, from ice-and-snow spectacles to intangible cultural heritage exhibits and traditional folk fairs, to attract international visitors. A Chinese analyst noted that these efforts reflect the country's growing global appeal for overseas travelers.

Beijing has launched a series of cultural tourism activities and services tailored for inbound travelers, covering themes such as intangible cultural heritage experiences, ice-and-snow entertainment, and family carnivals, CCTV News reported on Thursday.

Shanghai is offering inbound visitors an immersive and internationally oriented experience, and 2,570 integrated activities spanning culture, tourism, commerce, sports and exhibitions have been launched across seven major sections.

Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has launched a cultural tourism series, offering inbound visitors a festive experience that blends ice-and-snow wonders with traditional folk customs.

More than 260 events are being held, including China-Russia international ice-and-snow competitions and an intangible cultural heritage New Year fair. With stunning landscapes of ice and snow, and the distinctive charm of a Northeast Chinese New Year, the province invites travelers from around the globe to experience a vibrant and ice-infused Chinese New Year.

As more foreigners seek authentic Chinese Spring Festival experiences, the festival has become a vivid symbol of China's growing international influence and cultural soft power, Bian Yongzu, executive deputy editor-in-chief of Modernization of Management magazine, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Local governments are leveraging this trend to attract inbound tourism, which will boost economic revenue and also enhance their international visibility, Bian added.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday that in a time of widening divisions and conflicts, the Spring Festival's call of harmony, inclusiveness and coexistence offers the world warmth and resilience.

We warmly welcome more foreign friends to celebrate the Spring Festival in China, and we believe that these "New Year's journeys" will transcend mountains and seas, building bridges of cultural exchange and connecting China with the world, Lin added.