What’s fuelling the surge in South Koreans travelling to China?

A new wave of South Korean content creators is descending on Chinese cities, cameras in hand, transforming the streets of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and beyond into lively backdrops for travel vlogs and lifestyle videos. Dubbed the 'Korean v-blogger influx' by some online users, their ranks have swelled since China extended its unilateral visa-free policy for South Korean passport holders for another year, allowing 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.

Thanks to the two countries’ geographical proximity and warmer diplomatic relations of late, the friendlier visa rules have contributed to a noticeable boom in people-to-people exchanges. According to official figures, 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. In January alone, more than 300,000 South Korean visitors entered China – up 48 per cent year on year, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Justice. This surge is reshaping tourism dynamics, with creators capturing cosmopolitan Shanghai's shopping appeal and Shenzhen's tech-forward vibe, fueling a cultural exchange that benefits both economies.