The number of tourists visiting China from South Korea rose 16% to approximately 1.714 million in the first half of this year, putting China in the spotlight as a cost-effective destination for South Korean travelers. Meanwhile, travel to China by Japanese visitors has fallen sharply amid worsening Japan-China relations.
According to South Korean government statistics, the number of tourists visiting China from South Korea between January and June this year rose 16% year on year to approximately 1.714 million. The travel industry views China as a nearby destination offering high-quality experiences, and expects demand from South Korean visitors to continue expanding.
The Chinese government has allowed South Korean nationals to enter visa-free for up to 30 days since November 2024, helping them save on visa application fees and reduce travel costs. A survey conducted by the China National Tourist Office in Seoul reportedly found that South Koreans' satisfaction with visits to China and their intention to return had increased after the visa waiver was introduced.
In Japan, interest in travel to China is said to have cooled sharply, and an official at a major Japanese travel agency said that the number of Japanese customers had "fallen by 90%." The deterioration in Japan-China relations was cited as the direct cause.
The popular destinations cited in the article include Shanghai, Beijing, Zhangjiajie and Qingdao.