Core Points - Russian President Putin has signed a decree allowing Chinese citizens to travel to Russia without a visa for tourism and business purposes until September 14, 2026, with a maximum stay of 30 days [1] - There has been a significant increase in interest for travel to Russia, with a more than 40% year-on-year growth in hotel bookings and a doubling of search volume for Russia-related travel within half an hour of the visa-free announcement [1] - The winter tourism experience in Russia is becoming increasingly popular among young Chinese tourists, with unique activities available in various cities [1] Group 1 - The visa-free policy is expected to boost winter tourism from China to Russia, coinciding with the peak season for outbound ice and snow travel [1] - The current airfare to major cities in Russia remains stable, with a slight increase expected leading up to the Chinese New Year [1] - Russia offers a cost-effective alternative for winter tourism compared to Nordic countries, with costs potentially being half or more [2]