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South Korean Visitors to China Rise 48% in January After Visa-Free Extension
South Korean content creators are increasingly traveling to Chinese cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen for vlogs, boosted by China's extended visa-free policy. Official data shows over 300,000 South Koreans entered China in January 2026, up 48 percent from the previous year. The policy, introduced in 2024 and extended in November 2025, allows 30-day stays for tourism, business and family visits.
Apr 25, 10:00 PM·1m read1 source
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More than 300,000 South Korean visitors entered China in January 2026, marking a 48 percent increase from the same month a year earlier, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Justice. This surge follows China's extension of its unilateral visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders in November 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business and family visits, South China Morning Post reported.
The policy was initially introduced in 2024.
The extension has led to an increase in the number of South Korean content creators traveling to China, with many heading to cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen to produce travel vlogs and lifestyle videos. South China Morning Post reported that South Korean tourists have visited sites such as the Yuyuan Garden Mall in Shanghai, drawn to the city's cosmopolitan vibe and shopping appeal.
The policy extension has lowered barriers for short-term travelers and creators from South Korea, contributing to the rise in visits amid the two countries' geographical proximity.
