China ready to extend visa-free regime for Russians until September 2027

China has informed Russia of its readiness to extend the visa-free regime for Russian citizens for one year. If agreed, this will allow travel to China until mid-September 2027, according to Izvestia. Experts believe that extending the visa-free regime will increase tourist flows, expand the geographical scope of travel, and attract new investments into the Russian economy. The country is among popular destinations for Russians, though not the leading one.

Visa-free negotiations between China and Russia

Currently, the visa-free regime for Russian travelers to China is valid until September 14, 2026. It allows stays of up to 30 days with just a passport. In response, Moscow introduced a similar regime for Chinese citizens starting December 1, 2025. Russian Foreign Ministry representatives noted that there were no major issues in implementing the visa-free program, paving the way for its extension.

The head of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Russia, Zhang Hanhui, emphasized that extending the visa-free regime is a natural process that facilitates travel and strengthens mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries. Experts note that China is unlikely to agree to an indefinite visa waiver, preferring annual extensions. This approach is also applied to other countries for which Beijing unilaterally extended visa-free entry for one year in November 2025.

Sinologist Nikolay Marchenko warns that the visa-free regime poses certain challenges for law enforcement in both countries, including risks of illegal labor migration. However, Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, notes that no serious problems with illegal migration have occurred during the visa-free period. On the contrary, it opens new business opportunities: in 2025, demand for business tourism from Russia to China grew by 27%, according to research by Aeroclub.

Popular destinations for tourists in China

The visa-free regime has stimulated a sharp increase in Russian travel to China. According to the travel agency Sletat.ru, in 2026 demand for tours to China nearly doubled compared to the previous year. Popular destinations include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Hainan Island.

Hainan is particularly popular for beach holidays. In 2025, Russian tourists visited the island more than 505,000 times, 120% more than in 2024. Direct flights and developed hotel infrastructure provide a classic resort format with long beaches and sightseeing opportunities. Experts note, however, that Chinese beaches may differ from the familiar European format: swimming and the availability of sunbeds depend on the specific hotel, and waves and currents can be significant.

On the mainland, tourists are attracted to Beijing with its historical landmarks — the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven — as well as Shanghai, where visitors can combine shopping, cultural programs, and modern urban experiences. Tourists also visit Chengdu for the panda reserve and Zhangjiajie National Park with its glass bridge and cable cars. Challenges for Russian tourists include language barriers and limited use of familiar payment cards, which can be mitigated with online translators and local services such as Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Chinese tourists in Russia

Chinese travelers are most attracted to Moscow and Saint Petersburg with their historical and cultural sites: the Kremlin, Red Square, the Hermitage, Nevsky Prospect, and Peterhof. Other popular destinations include the Golden Ring, Irkutsk with Lake Baikal, and Murmansk with the Northern Lights.

The visa-free regime is expected not only to increase tourism but also to create investment potential. Chinese companies may invest in building hotels and other tourism infrastructure. Currently, tourist flow from China to Russia is relatively small: in 2025, it decreased by 1.6%, totaling just over 800,000 people, due to expensive air travel and limited service availability. The Russian Ministry of Economy plans to increase this figure to 5.5 million by 2030 by expanding air connections and improving infrastructure.

Where Russians traveled in 2025

Travel abroad for Russians remains limited due to sanctions and closed airspace, but in 2025, outbound trips increased, according to Interfax citing the Russian FSB Border Service. A total of 31.5 million trips abroad were recorded for various purposes, of which 13.4 million were for tourism, up 15.6% from 2024.

Turkey remains the most popular destination — 4.61 million tourist visits (+2.9% compared to 2024), with transit included, approximately 6.9 million trips. Second place is the UAE — 1.72 million (+17.1%), and 2.35 million for all purposes (+18.5%). Since late February 2026, this destination has become less relevant due to the war in the Middle East and high risks to life and safety. Tourists in the Emirates are seeking to leave by any means possible.

The top 10 destinations also included Egypt, China, and Thailand, though Thailand saw a 5.3% decline. Georgia’s popularity continues to grow due to convenient logistics: air connections (including direct flights), land, and sea routes. Russians do not need a visa, and stays can last up to a year. Georgia offers a variety of natural and historical attractions, beach holidays, mountain tourism, and urban experiences.

In 2025, more than 1.5 million Russians visited Georgia (+11.1%), traditionally ranking first in visits, although in terms of growth, China, Israel, and Azerbaijan began to lead. Russia also leads in tourism revenue in Georgia — $694 million.

Conclusion

According to International Investment, Russian outbound travel continues shifting toward countries with simplified entry procedures. Sanctions and geopolitical tensions stimulate interest in visa-free destinations, with Georgia standing out.

New opportunities for tourism development in countries with easy visa policies and reliable infrastructure strengthen economic ties and investment activity. In the future, tourist flows are expected to concentrate on safe and proven destinations, with growth in business and combined tourism, and an increasing role for regional resorts and neighboring countries as alternatives to traditional European and Middle Eastern routes.