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
Changchun, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — Early in the morning, a local clinic specializing in traditional Chinese moxibustion in Hunchun City, Northeast China's Jilin Province, was filled with the aroma of Chinese herbal medicine. Russian tourist Alexey lay on a treatment bed, while a moxibustion specialist held a lit moxa stick over the back of his head, gently performing the procedure.
The city of Hunchun is located at the junction of the borders of China, North Korea and Russia and is the only city in Jilin Province that has a checkpoint on the border with Russia.
53-year-old Alexey from Vladivostok, suffering from insomnia and cervical spondylosis, traveled to Hunchun on the recommendation of a friend to undergo treatment using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
"Today is the fourth day of my treatment. My arms and legs used to always go numb, but now the quality of my sleep has improved significantly," Alexey said with satisfaction. "The visa-free regime is very convenient; thanks to it, I'll be able to come back often in the future."
Most recently, starting September 15, China began piloting a visa-free entry policy for Russian citizens holding regular passports. Russian citizens holding valid regular passports can visit China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, and transit purposes, provided their stay in China does not exceed 30 days.
The implementation of this policy contributes to the growing popularity of cross-border tourism between China and Russia.
"We receive about a thousand tourists from Russia every year, including from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities. Many tourists come here for travel and shopping, while others come specifically for treatment for conditions such as cervical spondylosis and adhesive capsulitis," said Han Shimin, director of the Hanyijiu Moxibustion Clinic.
At this approximately 200 square meter clinic, Russian tourists wait in line on a sofa at the entrance, while banners with thank-you messages in Russian, donated by some Russian patients, hang on the walls as a token of appreciation for the medical services provided.
Medical tourism, which focuses on TCM healthcare and therapy, is gaining popularity among a growing number of Russian tourists.
With the growing popularity of TCM tours, the quality of medical services in Hunchun is constantly improving. Hunchun TCM Hospital has not only established an international medical department and hired professional translators, but also combined TCM physical therapy with tourism and recreation.
Furthermore, TCM medications are also in demand among many Russian patients. The pharmacy of the Beijing-based traditional Chinese medicine brand Tongren Tang in Hunchun is occasionally visited by Russian tourists. Xing Liguo, the pharmacy's manager, said that many Russian tourists purchase TCM medications. "Some of our sales staff have learned Russian on their own and can converse with customers in Russian a little."
According to the Hunchun Border Service, the total number of border crossings through the Hunchun checkpoint in the first half of 2025 exceeded 260,000 people.
"Since the beginning of this year, the number of Russian tourists entering China through the Hunchun border crossing has increased by approximately 20 percent year-on-year," noted a Hunchun border guard. Thanks to the visa-free regime, the border city of Hunchun is opening up new opportunities for development and becoming a gateway for cross-border medical services, he said. -0-
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