I have been traveling to and from China several times in the last month and I have one things to say – China is opening back up! The Chinese people are throwing off the shackles of Covid-19 and the nation seems to be roaring back to life!

Travel and tourism was once again booming when I traveled into China during the May Day celebrations. I sat down for lunch in a small canteen in southern China with a house church pastor that I haven’t seen in 3 years. The Hong Kong China border and the Macau China border were both packed with long lines of people pushing to get in, as I made my way across the border with the hordes of people.

Foreigners are still questioned more than usual. I have been to China several times in the last couple of weeks and have seen foreigners spend more time at immigration and secondary immigration than I have ever seen before. A group of Americans and Europeans traveling to a trade show in Guangzhou were all sent to secondary immigration to answer additional questions, even though all of their visa paperwork and travel arrangements were clear.

The numbers were just released from the May Day travel and they are simply shocking.

Ticket sales of domestic tourism? Up 900%!

Outbound travel? Up 700%!

International airline tickets and hotels? Up 900%!

Travel has increased so much that BTJ, in line with our Business as Mission concept, has already launched a new travel service in China, serving the needs of the underground house church.

If you are a missionary and have been praying for China to open back up, then perhaps the time is now to begin packing your bags.