(Yicai) Jan. 24 -- Homestay reservations by foreign guests in China for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday have soared 230 percent from a year earlier, with the country's visa-free policy continuing to draw more and more overseas visitors.

The number of bed and breakfast accommodations with the label "Foreigners Welcome" on Chinese Airbnb-like Tujia jumped 30 percent for the eight-day Chinese New Year break that starts Jan. 28, according to data from the platform. Harbin, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are the most popular cities among foreign visitors.

Driven by the "China Travel" boom, many foreign tourists are expected to visit the country to experience Lunar New Year celebrations, noted travel agency Tongcheng.

Most foreigners will enter China through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, according to Tongcheng. Cities renowned for their history and culture, including Xi'an, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou, are also popular choices.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added the Chinese New Year to the cultural heritage list last year, leading many Chinese cities to plan related cultural activities this year.

Beijing will host more than 5,600 cultural and tourism activities during the Lunar New Year break, while Suzhou will gather over 200 intangible cultural heritage objects from across China and hold special garden events.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xi'an rank top among Chinese cities with the most hotel bookings for the Chinese New Year holiday, according to data from Tongcheng.

Editor: Martin Kadiev