Beijing: This year's list of the world's best-travelled heads of state includes a surprising upstart.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited 14 countries in 2015, more than US President Barack Obama (11 countries) and on par with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although the number of pins on this world map pale in comparison with French President Francois Hollande's (more than 50 countries), the visits make Mr Xi not only a top political globetrotter, but also China's best-travelled leader since the Communist Party took power in 1949.

Chinese President Xi Jinping smiles as he concludes a visit to Lincoln High School, in Tacoma, Washington, during a trip to the US in September. Credit:AP

His predecessor, Hu Jintao, visited only seven countries during his decade as China's top leader. Since Mr Xi took the reins in 2012, he has visited more than 30.

This year alone, he visited Pakistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, the United States, Britain, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, France, Zimbabwe and South Africa.