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
Sanya, October 21 (Xinhua) — Russian tourists visiting the southern Chinese resort city of Sanya are reporting a warm welcome and comfortable stay thanks to the expansion of Russian-language services. Local authorities have taken measures to improve the quality of service following China's introduction of a visa-free regime for Russian citizens.
"The changes in Sanya are amazing!" shared Ekaterina, a tourist from Moscow who completed a five-day vacation. She says local vendors are fluent in quoting fruit prices in Russian, and Russian-speaking staff at tourist attractions help plan walking routes.
Since mid-September, when China introduced a visa-free regime for Russians, Sanya's beaches and tourist areas have seen a significant increase in Russian visitors. To ensure maximum convenience, the city has organized specialized Russian language courses for local employees in hotels, tourist areas, and the transportation sector.
According to statistics, in the first half of 2025, the tourist flow from Russia to Sanya soared by 266.2 percent year-on-year, accounting for more than 40 percent of the total number of foreign guests.
At the front desk of a coastal hotel, Yuna, a Russian-speaking employee, is checking in a group of tourists from St. Petersburg. Previously, she communicated with Russian-speaking guests using gestures and translation apps, but now she can explain the features of the hotel rooms in Russian, remind them of breakfast times, and explain other details.
Language courses organized by the local organization help you master the vocabulary needed for work. For example, they cover hotel check-in and check-out procedures, as well as recommendations for visiting attractions. The training even covers such nuances as extending a room or explaining the location of the nearest coconut shop.
Course instructor Liu Xiaomei based the lessons on real-life examples. "If a guest asks where they can try diving, we teach them not only how to point them out but also how to explain safety precautions," she explained. The lessons also include practicing emergency response situations, including helping with lost property.
After completing the training, Ma Zhi, a tourist zone employee at Yalong Bay (Sanya), can now speak in Russian about coconut groves and coral reef protection measures. "Last week, after my talk, a Russian tourist gained a new appreciation for Sanya's environmental protection efforts. That was especially gratifying," he remarked.
As is known, Sanya plans to implement additional training initiatives in the near future: launching educational videos in Russian for self-study, increasing the number of Russian-speaking guides in key tourist areas, optimizing Russian-language navigation, and expanding the network of currency exchange offices.
This winter, Russian tourists are expected to be able to fully enjoy the sun and beaches of Sanya without the language barrier of this tropical resort in southern China.
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