Chinese travellers mull Russia for visa-free National Day holidays

Interest in flight and hotel options surges after Putin suggests the doors could be opened wider for visitors

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Chinese tourists may soon have visa-free access to Russia. Photo: AP

Published: 9:00pm, 7 Sep 2025

Russia is attracting more interest from Chinese holidaymakers in the countdown to the weeklong National Day break, with the prospect of visa-free stays on the horizon.

Online agency Tongcheng Travel said searches for Russian hotels and flights rose more than sixfold on Friday from a day earlier, within an hour of Chinese media reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had suggested that Chinese travellers might soon be able to visit without visas.

The proposal follows Beijing’s announcement on Tuesday that Russian citizens will be able to stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days, starting from September 15.

“It’s a very kind gesture from the leadership of China,” Putin said during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday.

“Russia, undoubtedly, will reciprocate this friendly act. We will do the same.”

Previously, Russian citizens were permitted to stay in mainland China for up to 10 days visa-free when transiting to a third country – a policy introduced in late 2023 as part of China’s broader push to attract foreign visitors.

The two countries also resumed their visa-free policy for group tours after China reopened its border following nearly three years of strict Covid-19 controls.

Chinese travellers mull Russia for visa-free National Day holidays

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Interest in flight and hotel options surges after Putin suggests the doors could be opened wider for visitors

Interest in flight and hotel options surges after Putin suggests the doors could be opened wider for visitors