[Beijing = E-Daily Lee Myeongcheol Correspondent] With the summer travel season in full swing, the number of South Koreans traveling to China is surging. It appears that not only traditional popular destinations like Shanghai and Zhangjiajie, but also destinations such as Inner Mongolia are gaining popularity.

China’s state-run Global Times (GT) reported on the 14th, citing the South Korean travel agency MODETOUR NETWORK INC.(080160), that bookings for trips to China this summer have surged by 105% compared to the same period last year.

MODETOUR NETWORK INC. analyzed that the increase in travel to China by South Koreans was driven by short-haul flights, low local prices, visa-free policies, and expanded air service capacity.

Mount DOOSAN accounted for the largest share (41%) of summer travel packages to China. It was followed by Zhangjiajie at 21%, Qingdao at 8%, Inner Mongolia at 5%, and Shanghai at 4%.

Middle-aged and older travelers reportedly preferred mountainous tourist destinations such as Mount DOOSAN and Zhangjiajie, while younger travelers showed a strong interest in the grasslands and deserts of Inner Mongolia. Qingdao and Shanghai are gaining attention as destinations that combine culinary experiences with urban sightseeing.

Citing data from HANATOUR SERVICE, GT reported that package tour bookings for the first quarter of this year reached 650,000, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year; of these, bookings for China alone rose by 35% during the same period. HANATOUR SERVICE cited China’s policies to boost tourism to South Korea and the diversification of domestic travel destinations and products in China as the main reasons for this growth.

GT analyzed, “Korean tourists visiting China cited the advantages of visa-free entry, short flight times, and the convenience of public transportation and mobile payments,” adding, “Interest in local consumer culture, such as Chinese milk tea, is also stimulating travel demand.”

China Daily, a state-run Chinese newspaper, also highlighted South Koreans’ travel to China, noting, “While traditional natural landscape tours remain popular, demand among South Korean tourists is expanding to include independent city tours and experiential tourism.”

Citing Anhui as an example, China Daily reported that the Anhui provincial government has launched tourism packages for South Korean tourists and is providing conveniences such as transportation, travel services, and currency exchange.

China is implementing proactive tourism policies, such as visa exemptions, to stimulate domestic consumption through foreign tourism. In November 2024, it implemented a visa-free policy for South Korean citizens.

According to

’s National Immigration Administration, the number of foreign visitors entering China in the first half of this year reached 22,914,000, a 20.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, visa-free entries accounted for 77.7%. Local media reported that South Korea was the largest source of foreign tourists visiting China in the first half of the year. China Daily also reported, citing the South Korean government, that 1,714,000 South Koreans visited China in the first half of the year.

GT reported, “The visa-free policy, growing demand for independent travel, and the launch of new regional routes have driven the growth of China routes,” adding, “Although airlines are increasing seat capacity, demand is growing faster than the expansion of supply.”