More and more tourists from Argentina are coming to China for visit since the beginning of 2026, with a notable surge during the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, as they take advantage of the visa-free access and new air routes connecting the two countries.
In Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Chinese New Year celebrations have been held to embrace the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The festivities attracted people from all walks of life in the Latin American country.
"The best thing is seeing people here, trying out the typical food. I came to have fun and take photos with people," said a local resident dressed up as Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi in the celebrations.
Local tourist agencies have recorded more Argentines traveling to China during the Spring Festival season. Sebastian Aristimuno and Marina Muzzio, a couple who runs a Chinese martial art school in La Plata, is preparing their sixth trip to China to train in the art of Kung Fu with a shifu, or teacher. They first went to China in 2016.
Recalling their first trip to China, Aristimuno said "It was the first time we had been to an Asian country, and I was fascinated by the culture, by the language, the arts, painting, sculpture, also the martial arts."
The couple said visa-free policies, direct flights and the 21st century technology had made their visits more comfortable.
"These days, it is all much easier. You no longer need a tourist visa. There is a direct flight available that takes about the same time as other fights but is more convenient. And there are apps available that help you with translation, maps and trains, and that all makes it much easier," said Muzzio.
A direct flight between Beijing and Buenos Aires takes around 30 hours. Despite the time, distance and logistics involved in traveling from Argentina to China, more people are making that journey. Local reports in China suggest the number of bookings from Argentina to visit China is up nine-fold this year.
"As China began opening up, people travel for business and then fall in love with the country. So they go back as tourists," said Elena Chen, who runs a tourist agency that specializes in travel between China and Argentina.
China's visa-free policy, new routes attract more tourists from Argentina
