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Visa-free entry takes effect Sept. 15, 2025
The policy was confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on May 30, 2025. Russian travelers will be able to cross any international gateway, from the land bridge at Hunchun to the mega-airports in Beijing and Shanghai, without navigating China’s once-lengthy visa process. Airfare data suggest immediate interest: Russian ticket purchases for flights dated Sept. 15 and later have doubled since the announcement, while hotel searches and general travel inquiries have increased more than fivefold, according to figures reported by Russia Today. Travel platforms anticipate sustained momentum. Ctrip.com, one of China’s largest online agencies, lists Beijing, Sanya, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Harbin as the current top five Chinese cities bookmarked by Russian guests.Harbin leads the wish list
The Ice and Snow Festival city has long enjoyed a cultural overlap with its Russian neighbors. Baroque façades line Central Street, Russian restaurants post Cyrillic menus and cross-border trains run in both directions. “During the Ice and Snow Festival, many Russian tourists come here to ski, admire ice sculptures and enjoy the light displays,” Guan Yifeng, a lifelong Harbin resident, told Global Times — as Guan shared on a recent walk along Central Street. He expects an even larger crowd this upcoming winter, when temperatures hover around minus 13 Celsius yet hotels brim with ski gear and selfie sticks. Ge Lei, secretary-general of the China Tourism Association, said Harbin’s appeal lies in “its unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures and favorable geographic location,” as Ge told Global Times. The city’s proximity to the Russian border means weekend trips are plausible once the visa hurdle disappears.Border towns get their moment
Harbin is not alone. Manzhouli, Heihe and other frontier posts look to tap fresh demand for short, spontaneous breaks. In Heihe — directly across the Amur River from Blagoveshchensk — Russian shoppers already use Chinese mobile-payment apps, and shopkeepers greet them in fluent Russian. Local officials told China News Service that the two-way integration should accelerate under the visa-free regime.Beijing continues to dominate for culture buffs
China’s capital welcomed 293,000 Russian visitors in 2024, city tourism authorities said. From January through May 2025, the figure reached 175,000 — an 83.9 percent year-on-year rise that crowned Russians the largest foreign visitor group in the capital. “In 2024, I spent a few days in Beijing, but the impression was enough to see its huge potential,” Russian travel analyst Alexey Vengin told Profi.Travel. He cited reasonable prices, friendly locals and an abundance of historical landmarks as key selling points.Shanghai, Guangzhou and Sanya round out the top tier
• Shanghai invites architecture lovers to wander the Bund’s art-deco skyline or dive into futuristic Pudong. • Guangzhou tempts foodies with dim sum, night markets and Cantonese seafood. • Sanya, on tropical Hainan Island, dangles year-round beaches — a rare luxury for landlocked Russian snowbirds.Small towns and natural parks woo adventure seekers
Personalized itineraries are on the rise. Research fellow Wu Fugui of the China International Culture Exchange Center observed that younger Russians “seek distinctive natural landscapes” along with big-city buzz — as Wu told Global Times. He noted steady growth in interest for Zhangjiajie’s Avatar-style sandstone pillars, Jiuzhaigou’s turquoise lakes and Anhui’s misty Tianzhu Mountain. Even destinations lacking international name recognition are making cameo appearances on Russian social feeds. Local homestays near Zhangjiajie report queries about hiking permits, while guesthouses in Jiangxi’s Wuyuan county say backpackers from Moscow have begun asking about the best season for rapeseed-flower blooms.What China is doing to welcome Russian guests
Ge Lei outlined a three-part action plan for the China Tourism Association:- Talent development. Recruit and train guides fluent in Russian and other less-taught languages.
- Public services. Expand foreign-language signage, simplify mobile-payment onboarding for overseas cards and streamline airport transfers.
- Technology. Use artificial-intelligence translation kiosks and app integrations to erase language friction.
Tips for Travelers
- Bring a valid ordinary passport. As of Sept. 15, 2025, no visa is required for Russians, but passport validity must extend at least six months beyond entry.
- Book early for winter festivals. Harbin’s hotels sell out fast during the Ice and Snow Festival; aim for December reservations even if traveling in January.
- Download Chinese payment apps in advance. Alipay and WeChat Pay now allow foreign credit-card linkage; setup before arrival eases street-food purchases.
- Consider rail passes. China’s high-speed network links Beijing-Harbin in under five hours, making multi-city itineraries feasible.
- Respect local etiquette. Explore night markets, but note that some temples require covered shoulders and knees.
FAQ on China’s visa-free entry for Russians
- How long can I stay?
- [Not specified in release]. Travelers should check with the Chinese embassy for permitted duration.
- Does the policy include work or study?
- No. The exemption applies strictly to tourism; work or study still requires standard visas.
- Are children covered?
- Yes, minors with ordinary Russian passports qualify under the same rules.
- Can I enter multiple times after Sept. 15, 2025?
- [Not specified in release]. Multiple-entry allowances have yet to be clarified by Chinese authorities.
Bottom line for Jetsetters
From Beijing’s Forbidden City to Harbin’s glittering ice palaces, China is rolling out the welcome mat for Russian tourists. With flight bookings already doubling and hotel searches up more than fivefold, early planners will secure better rates and wider choice. The newly minted visa-free corridor, combined with upgraded language services and seamless mobile payments, positions China as an easy, cost-effective getaway for culture connoisseurs and adventure seekers alike. Whether you’re eyeing a long-weekend shopping dash to Manzhouli or a two-week circuit from Shanghai’s neon canyons to Zhangjiajie’s vertiginous cliffs, Sept. 15 could mark the beginning of your next border-hopping story. — as Ge told Global Times.Destination
