Photo: VCG
In a hot pot restaurant in downtown Shanghai, several young South Koreans gather around a steaming pot and chat while enjoying their meal. At a zoo in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, a little girl exclaims, “So cute!” in Japanese while pointing to a panda, with her smiling parents behind her. At Zhangjiajie in Central China’s Hunan Province, Korean tourists excitedly capture breathtaking mountains with their smartphones.
Since China further relaxed its temporary entry policy in November to include more countries, including South Korea and Japan, an increasing number of tourists from these two countries have been flocking to Chinese scenic spots, including famous streets and shops.
As close neighbors, the enthusiasm for travel to China among tourists from the two countries has rapidly increased. According to data from China’s travel service provider Trip.com, from December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025, inbound travel orders from South Korea and Japan increased by 215 percent and 145 percent year-on-year, respectively.
On social media, traveling to China for a weekend or holiday getaway has become a trendy activity among young people in South Korea and Japan. Similarly, many Chinese tourists, particularly those from the eastern regions, also enjoy visiting nearby Japan and South Korea for a refreshing and relaxing weekend.
The year 2025 and 2026 is the China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Exchange Year, and the booming “weekend tourism circle” is becoming a vibrant window for people of the three countries to visit each other’s homelands and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures, societies, and modern developments.
Tourism serves as a bridge to promote mutual understanding among the Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean people, helping to eliminate misunderstandings and prejudices at the grassroots level, considering the complex historical and political ties among the three countries, said Zhang Lingyun, professor and the executive editor-in-chief of Tourism Tribune, the leading tourism and hospitality academic journal in China. “The ‘weekend tourism circle’ plays a positive role in strengthening the friendly relations of the three peoples, and contributes to regional peace and stability,” Zhang told the Global Times.
‘Travel to China after work’
“Travel to China after work on Friday” has reportedly become a popular key phrase and trending hashtag on South Korean social media platforms. The younger South Korean generation’s travel choices are increasingly focused on short trips, such as two nights and three days, reported The Korea Economic Daily in November. “This is ideal for what are known as ‘night owl travel destinations,’ where travelers can enjoy a trip to China after finishing work on Friday evening and return on Sunday or Monday,” the article stated.
Cities in Eastern China that are closer to South Korea, such as Shanghai, Qingdao, and Dalian, naturally become the preferred weekend destinations for South Korean tourists. In Shanghai, Global Times reporters have come across many fashionably dressed young South Koreans shopping and taking photos along the Bund, Wukang Road, and Xintiandi.
South Korean tourist Saea poses for a photo at an ice-themed park in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Photo: Courtesy of Saea
South Korean tourist and content producer Saea recently uploaded her travel vlog about Shanghai on YouTube, which has attracted more than 840,000 views. In this 29-minute video, she shares many exciting moments from her time in the city, such as visiting Yuyuan Garden, enjoying local-style noodles, and savoring hot pot. “I also watched the sunrise at the Oriental Pearl Tower with my friends at the Bund, and it was really fun and enjoyable,” Saea told the Global Times.
In her eyes, Shanghai has a lively atmosphere and is seen as a pioneer in fashion and trends. “The European-style buildings were fantastic for taking pictures, and there was an abundance of food, and transportation was convenient with subways, buses, and taxis.” Saea has also traveled to other cities outside of Shanghai, such as Harbin, where the local dish “Guo Bao Rou (fried pork in scoop)” left a strong impression on her. “There are many restaurants in South Korea that serve delicious Guo Bao Rou, but when I tried the original in Harbin, it was truly perfect,” she recalled.
On social media, there has been an increase in photos and videos shared by Japanese tourists showcasing their experiences while visiting the Great Wall, exploring ancient Chinese streets and towns, and trying on traditional Chinese clothing or Hanfu.
Starting from November 30, 2024, tourists from Japan, along with visitors from eight other countries including Bulgaria and Romania, are able to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Japanese tourist SU, who goes by the screen name “SU channel” on YouTube, told the Global Times that he decided to travel to China as soon as a visa-free entry option became available. The 30-day validity period has made SU eager for more than just a brief weekend getaway, and he has visited numerous locations across the country, from major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, to smaller northeastern cities such as Shenyang and Dalian.
“I appreciate the size and level of development of Chinese cities, many of which surpass those in Japan, and I also enjoy exploring historical and cultural sites,” SU said to the Global Times. “I was particularly moved by the old town and cultural heritage of Dalian.”
“I’m also considering traveling to China again in 2025.”
Tourism boom
China’s temporary visa-free travel policy has significantly boosted inbound tourism from Japan and South Korea. On November 30, 2024, the first day of the visa-free policy for Japan, the number of inbound Japanese tourists increased by 107 percent year-on-year, as reported by Beijing Business Today on December 1.
Travel bookings from South Korea to China during this year’s Spring Festival holiday (from January 28 to February 4) surged by 452 percent year-on-year, according to data from online travel agency Trip.com.
The influx of Japanese and South Korean tourists to China is not surprising, as the new policy brings novelty and reduces costs for them since the implementation of the visa-free policy, Zhang said. “Moreover, Japan and South Korea are China’s geographical neighbors, and we share a deep cultural connection in history,” he told the Global Times. “This cultural proximity makes Chinese tourism particularly attractive to them.”
The cities of Shanghai and Chengdu, along with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, are some of the most popular travel destinations for Japanese and Korean tourists, Zhang said. Zhangjiajie, due to its successful marketing, is seen as a symbol of filial piety by many South Koreans, who like to accompany their parents to visit the park, Zhang said. “Also, Zhangjiajie has seized this opportunity to provide customized services for Korean tourists, such as recruiting more Korean-speaking staff, and introducing direct flights between South Korea and this destination.”
Better services, including multilingual offerings and diverse payment options, are crucial for tourist attractions and businesses in China, as they seek to capitalize on the burgeoning “weekend tourism circle.”
Hot pot, for instance, is a popular dish among South Korean tourists visiting China. Lately, some hot pot restaurants in downtown Shanghai have been receiving an average of 60 to 200 South Korean customers daily, accounting for approximately 15 percent of their total clientele, the Global Times learned.
“South Koreans enjoy a lively and cheerful dining atmosphere, and some customers specifically ask if we can sing birthday songs for them,” said Liu, a manager at a Haidilao hot pot restaurant in Shanghai. “To accommodate this, we have set up Korean signage and provided birthday greeting services in Korean,” Liu told the Global Times.
A group photo of South Korean student Baek Seo-Hui (first right) and her sisters taken at the Bund, Shanghai Photo: Courtesy of Baek
The “weekend tourism circle” is a promising start for China’s burgeoning inbound tourism industry. From weekend getaways to longer vacations, “China is expected to become an important destination for young people from Japan and South Korea for graduation trips, study tours, and even wellness travel,” said Cai Hong, head of the Department of Tourism Management at the Capital University of Economics and Business.
Baek Seo-Hui, a South Korean student at Fudan University who has been in China for over seven years, usually travels around the country with friends or family during her spare time. This former president of the Association of South Korean Students in Shanghai suggests that South Korean tourists consider taking a few extra days off in addition to their weekend trips to China, so as to fully appreciate the unique charm of different Chinese cities.
“First, as the development levels of cities across China differ, experiencing the atmosphere of various cities can provide a better understanding of the characteristics and diversity of China’s regional economic development. Second, China is a multi-ethnic country with 56 ethnic groups, so visitors can experience a rich tapestry of minority cultures. Additionally, if possible, I strongly recommend experiencing the culinary culture found in different cities across China,” said Baek.
Strengthening connections
Japanese tourist SU poses for a photo in front of the Dalian Railway Station in Dalian, Northeast China’s Liaoning Province. Photo: Courtesy of SU
At the 15th China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in September 2024, the three countries agreed to strengthen cooperation to achieve the goal of increasing mutual visits among the three countries to 40 million by 2030.
The growing popularity of the “weekend tourism circle” undoubtedly instills strong confidence in the three countries to achieve this goal, and serves as a convenient channel for enhancing mutual understanding and promoting cultural exchanges among their peoples.
Due to historical and geopolitical reasons, the sentiments among the people of the three countries have been complex, leading to some hard feelings toward each other at the grass-roots level, said Zhang. “However, it is precisely because of this, that we need to enhance mutual understanding and effectively eliminate misunderstandings,” he said.
“I believe that Japanese and South Korean tourists can experience the real China through their own observations and travel experiences. Likewise, we should be more accommodating toward foreign visitors as well,” he noted.
The first step in breaking down stereotypes about a country, is often through visiting it and engaging with its people in person. On China’s social media platform Xiaohongshu, a Japanese tourist with the screen name “Ayaka” shared several touching moments from her recent first-ever trip to China. “The landscapes and cuisine of China captivated me, but what moved me even more was the warmth and kindness of the people,” she wrote. “My journey in China allowed me to experience the hospitality and friendliness of the locals, and I am deeply grateful for every warm moment.”
“I think there are indeed some biases and misunderstandings among the people of China, Japan, and South Korea,” Baek told the Global Times. “Nonetheless, true understanding and mutual respect can be deepened through personal experiences and face-to-face interactions. Diplomatic exchanges at the government level and people-to-people communication are equally essential.”
On January 1, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) announced the results of the “CJK (China, Japan, and South Korea) Spirit Word of the Year 2025” selection, with the Chinese word for “future” winning the highest number of votes. TCS secretary-general Lee Hee-seop noted that, “future” reflects the optimism and determination of the people in the three countries to build closer ties in the coming years.
The geographical proximity, cultural similarities, and today’s significant economic connections among China, Japan, and South Korea highlight the need for increased communication among the three sides, said Baek. “Traveling to each other’s countries encourages the peoples of the three countries to perceive, accept, and respect each other’s cultures with a more open mindset, thereby laying a solid foundation for the harmonious development of trilateral relations,” she concluded.
Getaways at doorstep
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