Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Guangzhou, December 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese tour operators and tourists have shown great interest in traveling to Russia during the winter season. Thanks to the introduction of a visa-free regime on both sides, further intensification of Chinese-Russian cooperation in culture and tourism is expected, ECWALK, the largest travel agency in southern China's Guangdong Province, told Xinhua.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree allowing Chinese citizens to travel to Russia visa-free for stays of up to 30 days until September 14, 2026. The decree comes into effect on the day it is signed—December 1.
Tour operators' response to Russia's visa-free travel to China has proven timely. Tourist itineraries around Russia, specifically developed after the introduction of the visa-free regime, are already available at several travel agencies in Guangzhou (the capital of Guangdong Province, southern China). Guangdong Province is China's leading destination for outbound tourists.
As it turns out, during the winter season, the Chinese are most attracted by the northern lights in Murmansk, the bright "eye" of Siberia – Lake Baikal, and other typical Russian tourist attractions.
According to ECWALK, the Russian tourism market continues to gain momentum, with both consultation and transaction volumes recently experiencing rapid growth. In 2024, the number of tourists traveling on Russia-related routes increased by 38 percent year-on-year, while the agency's revenue increased by 37 percent.
"Despite the fact that Russia's visa-free regime for tourist groups has been in effect for many years, this new measure will generate interest in Russia among more potential tourists," said Wu Chen, Chairman of the Board and President of the ECWALK travel agency.
According to experts, since the resumption of outbound tourism after the epidemic, there has been a steady increase in the proportion of young people among Chinese tourists vacationing in Russia.
Younger clients have clearly become the fastest-growing group. This is due to the low entry barrier, relatively low consumer prices in Russia, and other factors. At the same time, more and more Chinese tourists are preferring in-depth educational tours in Russia.
"Russia's visa-free regime with China is less a short-term benefit than a long-term opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism," says Wu Chen.
According to the entrepreneur's forecasts, the increase in the flow of Chinese tourists to Russia during the winter season could exceed 30 percent. -0-
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