Russia Welcomes Chinese Tourists: A New Era of Visa-Free Travel and Economic Growth

Published on December 3, 2025

With the intent of promoting business activity, the exchange of culture, and an increase in tourism, Russia has begun a new visa-free policy directed toward Chinese citizens. Signed by President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on Monday, Chinese citizens have the ability to enter Russia for a period of 30 days without a visa. This new legislation, in effect immediately, will remain in effect until September 14, 2026.

Reciprocal Measures to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

The executive order comes as part of a broader effort to enhance bilateral ties between Russia and China. This visa-free arrangement is reciprocal in nature, following a similar policy implemented by China for Russian nationals in September 2025. The Chinese government initiated a one-year trial that permits Russian citizens to stay in China for 30 days without a visa. The policy aims to foster closer cooperation in areas such as tourism, trade, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections. This reciprocal move is expected to significantly boost travel, trade, and economic relations between the two nations.

Surge in Travel Interest to Russia

The news of Russia’s visa-free policy has sparked immediate interest in the country from Chinese travelers. According to online travel platform Qunar, flight searches from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to St. Petersburg more than tripled within the first hour after the announcement. Similarly, searches for flights between Beijing and Moscow saw a 44% increase during the same period. Chinese travelers, long interested in exploring Russia’s rich cultural and natural landscapes, now have fewer obstacles to visiting. Popular destinations such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Lake Baikal in Siberia are expected to see significant increases in tourist numbers.

Li Yanqiu, a Beijing resident, expressed her excitement about the new policy, sharing that she and her husband have always dreamt of visiting Lake Baikal. “Now is the perfect time for us to visit Russia, this time with our family,” she said, reflecting the sentiment of many Chinese tourists eager to explore the beauty of Russia.

New Opportunities for Cross-Border Tourism

The visa waiver will also benefit Russian citizens wishing to travel to China. With reciprocal policies in place, travel agencies in both countries are gearing up to cater to a growing number of tourists. Wei Changren, founder of btiii.com, a tourism-related news website, noted that two routes have always been popular among Chinese travelers to Russia: Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as Russia’s Far East region. He believes that the new policy will play a pivotal role in boosting tourism between the two nations.

The policy is particularly beneficial for Chinese travelers interested in Russia’s vast cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the iconic Red Square in Moscow, the historic Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the unique landscapes of Siberia. Additionally, Russian travelers visiting China will have access to the country’s scenic beauty, rich history, and diverse culture, fostering deeper mutual understanding between the two nations.

Tourism Agencies See Major Growth

Local travel agencies in both Russia and China are witnessing a boom in interest. In Harbin, Northeast China, a city that recently saw an increase in Russian tourists following China’s visa-free policy, more than 400 Russian tourists visited in the past two months, marking a 30% year-on-year increase. The trend is not just about leisure tourism. Visitors from Russia often extend their stay to explore other popular Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Zhangjiajie, which are seeing an influx of Russian tourists.

Wang Taixiang, vice-general manager of Harbin Trip of Garden International Tour Co, remarked that most visitors from Russia are coming from Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. After arriving in Harbin, they typically continue their journeys to other key destinations in China, creating a multi-destination travel pattern. This is expected to lead to greater regional tourism integration.

Promoting Economic and Cultural Exchanges

The mutual visa-waiver policies are not just about increasing tourist numbers. They also aim to boost economic and cultural exchanges, providing new opportunities for industries in both countries. According to Zhang Jinshan, a tourism researcher at Beijing Union University, China’s long border with Russia makes it a natural partner for cross-border tourism. The reciprocal visa-free policies will not only drive tourism growth but will also revitalize traditional industrial zones, particularly in Russia’s Far East and China’s Northeast regions.

China and Russia have made significant strides in fostering strategic cooperation over recent years, with both nations benefiting from closer economic ties. This visa-free policy will serve as a catalyst for expanding tourism infrastructure, such as transportation links, hotels, and other services, thus creating new job opportunities and enhancing the tourism experience in both countries.

A Boon for Businesses and Regional Growth

The boost in tourism is expected to support local businesses, particularly in regions near the border. For example, in Harbin, businesses catering to Russian tourists have already experienced a noticeable uptick. The Maple Leaf Village Hot Spring Resort Hotel, a popular spot among Russian visitors, has become a symbol of how tourism can invigorate regional economies.

The policy is also expected to help revitalize Russia’s Far East, an area that has long been overshadowed by other Russian regions. With the easing of visa restrictions, Russian businesses can expect more inbound investments, while Chinese tourists can explore lesser-known regions of Russia that have vast untapped potential.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Impact on Travel and Tourism

There is no doubt that the policy instituted by Russia and China regarding visa free travel will continue to shape the business, tourism and culture of both countries. Travel flow to both countries will promote seeing the diverse cultures, heritage history, and natural sites of the countries. Russia and China will not only gain tourists from the new policy but also gain business travel from the policy that will enhance economic collaborations and ventures.