BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China is witnessing a surge in foreign tourist arrivals as the summer vacation season kicks off, with more international travelers drawn to the country's unique blend of ancient culture and modern vitality.

According to official data, Beijing's ports of entry handled over 640,000 inbound and outbound travelers between July 1 and 10, including 171,000 foreign tourists, marking a 22.1 percent year-on-year increase.

A total of 2.56 million foreign travelers entered China through Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao international airports in the first half of this year, marking a 44.7 percent year-on-year increase.

To meet the growing demand, immigration authorities at major border checkpoints have introduced a range of measures to reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience.

The surge has been driven by China's continued easing of entry policies for foreign visitors. As of now, China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to 55 countries, while nationals from 47 countries are eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. ■