China's visa-free policies spark travel boom in neighboring South Korea

China's expanding visa-free policies have sparked a surge in tourists from the Republic of Korea (ROK) choosing the country as a premier holiday destination. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice of the ROK, the number of South Korean tourist visits to China reached some 3.16 million in 2025, a sharp increase of 36.9 percent compared to 2024.

Data from a major travel agency show that between January 5 and 21 of this year, it recorded 7,351 China-bound trips, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 87.8 percent. Notably, the number of South Korean travelers heading to Shanghai surged by 142.4 percent year on year.

A manager of a travel agency said that data from his company indicate a year-on-year increase of 28 percent in demand for trips to China during the fourth quarter of last year, showing a significant growth rate. Zhangjiajie in central China's Hunan Province and the Changbai Mountains in northeast China retained their popularity among South Korean tourists, while cities such as Shanghai and Qingdao emerged as top choices for short weekend trips.

Topics related to "China travel" are increasingly popular on South Korean social media, with reports saying that China ranks as the second most searched travel destination for ROK nationals.

To cater to the demands of young South Koreans who prefer customized and comprehensive itineraries, some travel agencies have established dedicated teams to develop tailored travel routes across China.

A local resident expressed interest in exploring more of the country after seeing the winter celebrations in Harbin, China's "ice city." "Some time ago, I watched a video of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. It was grand with many highlights. I'd love to experience the winter festivities in China. Since China is so large, each city has its own unique characteristics. Next time, I would like to explore some inland cities that aren't really on the radar of South Koreans to experience authentic local life," said a local resident.

In early November, 2025, China announced the extension of its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries until December 31, 2026.

Under the policy, holders of ordinary passports from those countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the ROK, and Hungary, will be exempted from visa requirement if they enter China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friend visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa.

The U.S. dollar increased in late trading on Thursday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, went up 0.38 percent to 100.024 at 1900 GMT.

In late New York trading, the euro lost to 1.1544 dollars from 1.1607 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound was down to 1.3227 dollars from 1.3324 dollars in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar bought 159.34 Japanese yen, higher than 158.82 Japanese yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar was up to 0.7984 Swiss francs from 0.7931 Swiss francs, and it rose to 1.3921 Canadian dollars from 1.3895 Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar added to 9.4234 Swedish kronor from 9.3935 Swedish kronor.