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.

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

Serbian officials and scholars expect that President Aleksandar Vucic's visit to China will further cement the ironclad friendship between the two countries and open up new avenues for cooperation.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Serbian President Vucic arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit to China from May 24 to 28. During the visit, the two heads of state will exchange views on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

As the first European country that has agreed to jointly build a community with a shared future for the new era with China, Serbia is an important partner for China in Southeast Europe. According to high-level Serbian officials, the partnership could expand even further.

"I think that the most important one, apart [from] the infrastructure, will be scientific cooperation and widening the existing cooperation in each field, from infrastructure to culture. Our anchored friendship could become a role model for everyone else," said Marina Ragus, deputy speaker of Serbia's National Assembly.

Bojan Lalic, director of the Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade, anticipates that actions following the two presidents' discussions can bring stability to Serbia's economic and industrial development.

"We expect President Vucic and President Xi to have fruitful discussions, but also some following steps that will bring stability to our economy, to our industry. I truly believe that when speaking about the future, we are speaking about young people, (which) means education, research, science -- those are fields that I believe are fundamental for our exchange, for our future cooperation, and for our win-win achievements and success," said Lalic.

Ljubodrag Savic, a professor at the Faculty of Economy of the University of Belgrade, highlighted the importance of growing trade between the two countries. Since the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement in 2023, exports from Serbia to China nearly doubled, from 1.2 billion U.S dollars the year the agreement was signed to 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

"China treats all countries equally, regardless of their size or so-called importance, maintaining friendly relations with countries around the world. The free trade agreement signed between Serbia and China grants Serbia preferential treatment. Most Serbian products can be exported to China almost duty-free. China is a truly valuable friend to Serbia," said the professor.

Serbian experts predict fruitful outcomes from Vucic's visit to China