Core Insights - The introduction of visa-free travel for South Korean citizens to China has significantly increased travel interest and ease of access, leading to a surge in tourism [1][3][8] Group 1: Visa Policy Impact - Since the implementation of the visa-free policy in November 2022, the number of South Koreans traveling to China has skyrocketed, with 647,900 visitors recorded from November 2024 to January 2025, marking a 60.6% year-on-year increase [3] - The number of travelers on the Korea-China route reached 4.8614 million in the first four months of this year, reflecting a 23.5% increase, which is more than double the growth rate of travelers to Japan [3] Group 2: Changing Travel Preferences - The perception of China as a travel destination has shifted from being associated with older tourists to becoming a trendy spot for younger South Koreans, particularly in cities like Beijing and Shanghai [3][6] - New travel trends among young South Koreans include "night tours" and social media-driven travel experiences, with a focus on urban exploration and nightlife [3][6] Group 3: Airline Industry Response - Korean airlines are expanding their routes to China in response to the increased demand, with major airlines like Korean Air adding flights to cities such as Zhengzhou and Xiamen [8] - The tourism industry in Korea believes that the demand for travel to China is not a temporary spike but a sign of a full recovery phase, with expectations of continued growth in traveler numbers [8]

5月2日，享受东盟国家旅游团入境云南西双版纳免签政策的43名老挝籍游客，只用了不到15分钟，便顺 利从云南磨憨铁路口岸通关入境。 当晚，拉塞·昌塞在澜沧江畔架起三脚架，开始了入境中国的第一条视频创作；在雨林深处的傣家竹楼 中，卡玛翁·苏尼萨体验了傣医药浴，"在这里，我学会了辨识数十种药用植物。" 随着240小时过境免签、区域性入境免签等一系列免签政策的持续优化，今年"五一"假期，"China Travel"（中国游）持续火爆，越来越多的旅客来到中国、感受中国、爱上中国。 5月1日下午，福州长乐国际机场入境大厅里，美国籍旅客马吉德在边检民警引导下，顺利拿到240小时 临时入境许可："通关速度快、服务好！" 这是实施240小时过境免签政策后的首个"五一"假期。随着各类免签政策的协同发力，这里日均验放出 入境客流量已突破5300人次。 去年12月17日，国家移民管理局全面放宽优化过境免签政策，对54国人员实施240小时过境免签，政策 适用口岸总数进一步增加，外国旅客可以在允许停留活动区域内跨省域旅行。"一系列免签政策的推 出，让外籍游客来到中国不仅停留时间更长，活动区域也大幅拓展。"福州机场边检站执勤四队队长吴 建 ...

Group 1 - The attractiveness of China as a popular travel destination is continuously increasing, driven by various favorable policies [1][3] - The trend of "China Shopping" is emerging, with foreign tourists increasingly coming to China for shopping, especially during peak travel periods like the "May Day" holiday [3][6] - Recent policy changes, such as lowering the threshold for tax refunds from 500 yuan to 200 yuan and increasing cash refund limits from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan, have facilitated foreign tourists' shopping experiences [3][6] Group 2 - There is significant growth potential in inbound consumption, supported by the rising interest in Chinese traditional culture and flexible visa policies [4][6] - The integration of diverse shopping options and improved tax refund services is enhancing China's appeal as a tourism consumption destination, promoting cultural and economic exchanges [6][10] - The implementation of visa-free policies for foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise ships is expected to boost the number of overseas travel groups significantly [15] Group 3 - The development and application of tourism technology in China are unlocking new experiences for tourists, enhancing service quality and interaction [11][10] - The combination of cruise tourism with cultural and scenic experiences is creating new opportunities for foreign tourists to engage with China [15]