South Korean visitors to China have surged following the extension of a unilateral visa-free policy allowing 30-day stays, reaching 3.16 million in 2025, up 36.9 percent from 2024. Dubbed a 'Korean v-blogger influx,' content creators are documenting mainland life, with one saying, 'the window has opened and everyone wants to take a look inside.' January saw over 300,000 arrivals, up 48 percent year-on-year.
China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders for another year, permitting stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, and family visits. Introduced in 2024 and extended in November last year, the measure has lowered a major barrier for short-term travellers and creators from South Korea.
Official figures show about 3.16 million South Korean visitors travelled to China in 2025, up 36.9 per cent from 2024 and the highest growth rate among major outbound destinations for South Koreans. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Justice, more than 300,000 South Korean visitors entered China in January alone – up 48 per cent year on year.
Dubbed the “Korean v-blogger influx” by some online users, a wave of content creators is documenting life on the mainland. One said: ‘the window has opened and everyone wants to take a look inside.’
