Since Beijing implemented a visa-free entry policy for South Korean citizens in November 2024, the number of tourists from the land of kimchi to China has skyrocketed dramatically.
Data provided by the South Korean Ministry of Justice to Rep. Park Eun-jeong of the Korean Restoration Party showed that 647,901 South Koreans traveled to China from November 2024 to January 2025, up 60.6 percent from the same period last year.
China's visa-free policy for South Korean tourists has created an unprecedented tourism "fever".
During the six-day Lunar New Year holiday alone, more than 100,000 South Koreans chose China as their travel destination. This is the first time South Korea has been included on China's visa-free list since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.
Notably, this is a unilateral decision by China and not a general visa exemption agreement between the two countries.
According to the Korea Times, China has officially announced visa exemption for visitors from South Korea, opening a promising new chapter for the tourism industry of both countries. Accordingly, Korean tourists can freely explore the beautiful country of China for up to 15 days for various purposes such as business, tourism, visiting family or transit. This decision takes effect from November 2024 and lasts until the end of 2025, creating maximum conditions for Korean people to have the opportunity to experience interesting things in China.
In fact, the number of customers increased by 60% after only a short time of application.
The visa-free policy is a big draw for South Korean tourists, as previously, applying for a Chinese visa cost them about 100,000 won (US$70) and involved a lengthy and complicated application process.
The surge in tourism to China among South Koreans comes in stark contrast to rising anti-China sentiment, especially among conservative political groups, amid South Korea's impeachment crisis.
President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial comments about China during his impeachment trial, where he accused China of trying to influence South Korea's elections and sway public opinion, have contributed to growing hostility toward Beijing among his supporters. Yoon's supporters have also spread unverified claims that some officials at the Constitutional Court are of Chinese origin, which they allege could lead to biased rulings on the president's impeachment.
This is an opportunity to promote the development of smokeless tourism in China.
Chinese authorities are said to have conveyed concerns to the South Korean government through diplomatic channels about a number of political developments affecting bilateral relations. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has somewhat refrained from addressing the issue publicly, a departure from its previous “wolf warrior” diplomacy, which was often characterized by a bellicose tone.
According to Chosun, a scholar at Zhejiang Normal University (China) commented that visa exemption for Koreans will create an increase in travel demand between the two countries, promote business and tourism activities, thereby bringing significant economic benefits.
Korean travel agencies are focusing on promoting various tourist destinations in China, meeting the diverse needs of tourists. In addition to famous destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Korean tourists are also introduced to new lands such as Jiuzhaigou with its majestic natural landscape, Zhangjiajie with its majestic rocky mountains, or Phoenix Ancient Town with its ancient architecture. This diversity of tourist destinations gives tourists more choices and can find destinations that suit their interests.
