Russia-China Tourism Booms After Visa-Free Travel Policies Take Effect
Russia and China are experiencing a surge in mutual tourism. By the end of this year, trips between the two nations could reach 3.5 million, a 30% increase from last year. This growth follows China's introduction of a 30-day visa-free entry for Russian citizens, with Russia set to reciprocate.
The number of Russian trips to China in July–September rose by 13% compared to the previous quarter and nearly 25% year-on-year. This increase follows China's pilot 30-day visa-free entry, which began on September 15, 2023, and is valid until September 14, 2026. Demand for tours and flights to China surged by 50–100% in response to this policy change.
The Ministry of Economic Development projects that by 2030, the number of visits will double compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019. This growth is expected to surpass the previous record of 407,600 visits set in Q3 2012. Following China's lead, Mongolia also introduced a visa-free entry regime for Russians, planned to last until the end of 2025.
The mutual visa-free policies between Russia and China, along with Mongolia, are driving a significant increase in tourist traffic. By the end of this year, trips could reach 3.5 million, with projections suggesting continued growth in the coming years.
