Shanghai continues to draw Korean tourists with its value, cleanliness, and flavors, enhanced by China's visa-free entry policy. Visitor numbers surged in 2025, and early 2026 bookings indicate sustained popularity.
Shanghai has benefited from China's 30-day visa-free policy introduced in November 2024, attracting more Korean visitors. Numbers rose from about 570,000 in 2023 to 1.1 million in 2024, then increased 23.6 percent year-on-year in 2025 to 1.37 million—accounting for 43 percent of all Korean trips to mainland China, up from 35 percent in 2024.
Mode Tour International reported that January 2026 bookings for Shanghai surged 260 percent from the previous year, with Lunar New Year (Seollal, February 14-18) reservations up 270 percent. Agoda's 2026 New Horizons Ranking listed Shanghai as a top destination for Koreans based on recent accommodation data.
Choi Yu-jin, a 31-year-old Seoul fashion designer, noted, “Restaurants and streets were notably clean. And even upscale dining came at lower prices than in Korea, without compromising on taste.” Song Hao, a 30-year experienced English-speaking guide, highlighted attractions like Xintiandi with its 19th-century stone-gate houses, Wukang Road's European architecture, and Tianzifang's artsy alleys, appealing to younger visitors seeking trendy spots, cosplay venues, and cyber-themed places.
Lee Ji-won, a Seoul office worker, said, “While many Koreans have traditionally opted for nearby Japanese cities like Fukuoka or Osaka, Shanghai stands out as an equally convenient destination with even better affordability.” Subramania Bhatt, CEO of China Trading Desk, expects the visa-free policy for 45 countries including Korea to extend until December 31, 2026, as part of China's tourism revival strategy amid economic challenges.
Yanolja Research projects 3.94 million Korean visitors to China in 2026, a 24.2 percent rise—the fastest among top destinations like Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Jang Soo-cheong, Purdue University professor and Yanolja director, suggests positive Shanghai experiences could broaden interest to cities like Chengdu, Qingdao, and Hainan, fostering a wider rediscovery of China.
Meanwhile, Chinese arrivals in Korea reached 5.37 million in 2025, up 16.7 percent from 4.6 million, with projections for 6.15 million in 2026, a 14.5 percent increase, aided by a temporary group tour visa-free policy since September 2025.
