China sees uptick of visitors from South Korea boosted by visa-free policy
發佈日期: 2026-01-05 20:57
TVB News
The number of tourists from South Korea is showing a sharp uptick as China's unilateral visa waiver measures come into effect, boosting airlines, travel business and people-to-people exchanges.
Beijing has introduced visa exemption measures for ordinary passport holders from nine countries, including the Republic of Korea, allowing them to come to China for tourism, business, family visits and transit for up to 30 days.
The measures, first enacted in late 2024, have been extended to December 31st, 2026.
South Korean airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines boosted flights to China to meet the surging demand of tour groups by announcing additional routes.
On Sunday morning, Air Busan flight BX3795, a charter service carrying over 210 passengers, landed in Xiamen City in Fujian Province to mark the official launch of the first direct round-trip route between Xiamen and Busan.
The nearly two-hour flight is scheduled to operate from January 4th to March 1st, with four flights each week.
Meanwhile, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province saw the influx of inbound visitors over the past years. Official data shows it received over 400,000 South Korean tourists in 2025 alone.
The park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area, grabbed the hearts of many holidaymakers with its otherworldly, soaring quartzite sandstone pillars.
South Korean tourist Ryu Ji Hwan said: "I've always wanted to travel to China, and now with the 15-day visa free policy, it feels much more convenient. Snow isn't something you see often, but here in Zhangjiajie, seeing the snowy landscape truly made me feel like I was rising into the sky, and listening to local singers perform for us on the lake was so wonderful."
Jin Xin, executive vice president of the Zhangjiajie Tourism Group, said the tourist site has been catering for the taste of South Korean visitors by presenting authentic Korean-flavoured dishes while strengthening cooperation with travel agencies and airlines in the ROK.
Young Korean speakers in China's Northeast have also been certified as tour guides in Zhangjiajie.
With high hopes for the South Korean president's China trip, Jin expects it could foster a honeymoon phase in bilateral relations and further extend or lengthen the visa-free policy.
