Over 40% Increase in Koreans Visiting China This Year
Number of Chinese Tourists Visiting Korea Also on the Rise
On September 29, when visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists was implemented, Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul was crowded with foreign tourists. 2025.9.29 Photo by Kang Jinhyung
This year, as the number of Koreans visiting China has surged and the number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea has also increased noticeably, tourism exchanges between the two countries are becoming increasingly active.
According to an analysis of data from the Korea Tourism Organization and the Ministry of Justice's Immigration Service on October 9, approximately 1.988 million Koreans visited China from January to August this year, marking an increase of more than 40% compared to the same period last year. The main reason for this surge is considered to be China's temporary 30-day visa-free entry policy, which has been in effect from the end of November last year through the end of this year.
In particular, the number of monthly visitors to China, which stood at around 210,000 in November last year, has steadily increased this year, maintaining a range of 280,000 to 250,000 per month. Reflecting this upward trend, the total number of annual visitors to China this year is expected to surpass last year's figure of 2.3 million.
In contrast, visits to other popular destinations such as Japan and Vietnam have shown only slight increases or even decreases. From January to August this year, about 5.95 million Koreans visited Japan, an increase of around 5% compared to the previous year, while the number of visitors to Vietnam actually dropped by more than 3%. Visits to the Philippines and Thailand also decreased by approximately 16% each.
Chinese people introducing Korean products through live streaming on Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul.
Meanwhile, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea has also been steadily rising. According to the Ministry of Justice, about 525,000 Chinese nationals entered Korea last month, representing an increase of nearly 16% compared to the same month last year. In August, the number exceeded 600,000, recovering to pre-COVID-19 levels.
This trend is analyzed as a result of the Chinese government's recent introduction of a temporary visa-free entry policy for group tourists. Implemented alongside the pilot 'Tourist Landing Permit System,' this measure allows Chinese tourists traveling in groups of three or more to visit Korea without a visa.
The retail and tourism industries are responding to these changes by launching a variety of customized marketing campaigns targeting Chinese tourists. Department stores and duty-free shops are attracting customers with popular products and discount events, while CJ Olive Young and convenience stores are enhancing product offerings and payment options favored by Chinese tourists.
However, as the visa-free policy is still in its early stages, the actual number of group tourists entering Korea remains modest. From the end of last month to the middle of this month, the number of group tourists who applied for visa-free entry has stayed at just over 300.
On the 8th, the arrival hall at Jeju International Airport was bustling with tourists visiting Jeju on the sixth day of the Chuseok holiday, which lasts up to ten days. Yonhap News
An official from the Korea Tourism Organization stated, "Since the visa-free entry policy has only just been implemented, it will take time for its effects to become fully apparent," adding, "With the Chinese government's positive stance, we expect the number of arrivals to gradually increase."
Meanwhile, some concerns have been raised about the possibility of anti-China protests in response to the increase in Chinese group tourists. The Chinese Embassy in Korea has requested measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Korea, and the government is closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with the National Police Agency while preparing countermeasures.
Experts predict that the expansion of visa-free entry and the increase in tourists from both countries will have a positive impact on economic and cultural exchanges between Korea and China. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of strengthening local response measures.
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