Core Insights - The landscape of popular outbound travel destinations for Chinese tourists is changing, with a significant decline in interest for Japan and a rise in popularity for Thailand, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Russia due to new visa policies [1][2][4]. Group 1: Changes in Popular Destinations - Japan has fallen out of the top ten destinations for Chinese tourists, while Thailand has reclaimed the top spot, with hotel bookings peaking during the winter vacation period [2][3]. - The "Japan replacement" effect has accelerated, with South Korea and Indonesia seeing substantial increases in hotel bookings, with South Korea's bookings up over 240% year-on-year [3][4]. - European destinations like Germany and Spain have also seen hotel booking increases exceeding 300%, while Nordic countries have experienced over 200% growth [3]. Group 2: Impact of Visa Policy Changes - Russia has introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens until September 14, 2026, allowing stays of up to 30 days for tourism and business, leading to an 8-fold increase in flight searches to Russia [4][5]. - The announcement of the visa-free policy coincides with the peak season for winter travel, suggesting a potential surge in Russian tourism during key holiday periods [4][6]. - Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have shown significant increases in flight searches to Russian destinations, with some routes experiencing search volume increases of up to 3.6 times [5][6]. Group 3: Emerging Travel Trends - The winter tourism experience in Russia, particularly activities like aurora chasing and snowmobiling, is becoming increasingly popular among young Chinese travelers [6]. - Travel agencies are developing specialized tours focusing on unique experiences in Russia, such as aurora viewing and winter sports, to attract a broader age demographic [6]. - The visa-free policy is expected to enhance travel for educational, business, and cultural exchanges between China and Russia, fostering closer ties between the two nations [6].