Visa-Free Travel to China: What Tourists Need to Know

Starting September 15, Russian tourists can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days. This arrangement is temporary—it will be in effect until September 14, 2026. During this period, a passport will be sufficient for entry into China. The trial visa-free regime applies only to those traveling to China for the following purposes:

  • Tourism—independently or as part of a group;
  • Business trips;
  • Visiting family or friends;
  • Transit;
  • Participation in cultural exchange programs.

For entry into China for study, work, or journalistic activities, a visa is still required. Therefore, as proof of travel purpose, Russian tourists should bring a tour operator voucher, hotel reservation confirmation, and return flight tickets. Border officials may request these documents.

Tour operators have already noted that after the introduction of the visa-free regime, China will become no less popular a destination than Turkey and Thailand. According to analysts, the easing of entry restrictions could bring China up to $1.22 billion per year. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia predicts a 30–40% year-on-year increase in trips, while S7 Airlines reported that within a day of the visa-free news, bookings for flights from Russia to Chinese cities increased by 1.5 times. According to OneTwoTrip, demand for winter travel to China among Russians has already grown fivefold year-on-year.

Where to Go in China

Currently, most Russian tourists choose Hainan Island—the beach resort accounts for about 70% of all tours sold to China. The reason is that a special 30-day visa-free regime was already in place there, but with several conditions—travelers had to arrive at the local airport on a direct flight from a third country (i.e., not from mainland China) and were not allowed to leave the island (unless they had a Chinese visa).

Hainan’s advantage is that summer lasts almost all year. The water temperature in winter is around +23 degrees Celsius.

Hainan maintains its leadership thanks to its status as a year-round beach resort with developed infrastructure and a high level of service. The island’s popularity is supported by the all-inclusive model and its historically established visa-free regime.

Experts say that with the easing of entry restrictions, demand for tours to mainland China will also grow.

What to See in China in Autumn

Beijing

The best time to visit China’s capital is early autumn—during this time, it is not very hot (for example, late September sees temperatures of +20…+23 degrees), and cloudy days and rain are rare. By November, the air cools to an average of +10 degrees. Beijing is the center of cultural and educational tourism. It is home to the Forbidden City (the largest palace complex in the world) and the Summer Palace (the summer residence of Chinese emperors). The Great Wall of China is located 80 km from Beijing.

Forbidden City
Forbidden City

Shanghai

Summer in Shanghai is quite hot and humid, while winter is cool. Therefore, autumn is the ideal time for tourists. In Shanghai, you can explore the Old City and modern architecture with skyscrapers, stroll through Chinese markets, and go shopping.

Shanghai
Shanghai

There is a chance to experience the Mid-Autumn Festival, which usually falls in mid-September or early October (this year on October 6). During this time, streets are decorated with red lanterns, and yuebing—”mooncakes,” traditional Chinese pastries with various fillings—are

Hainan Island

Hainan Island is a tropical island province in southern China, historically known as a place of exile for disgraced officials during imperial dynasties like the Tang and Song. Today, it is a major tourist destination, famous for its beaches, rainforests, and its status as China’s largest special economic zone, often referred to as the “Hawaii of China.”

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, located in Beijing, is a vast imperial palace complex that served as the home of Chinese emperors and the political center of the government for nearly 500 years, from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Constructed between 1406 and 1420, it is renowned for its traditional Chinese palatial architecture and now operates as the Palace Museum, housing an extensive collection of artifacts and art from the imperial eras.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a vast imperial garden in Beijing, China, originally built in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty as a luxurious retreat for the royal family. It was extensively rebuilt in the late 19th century after being damaged by foreign forces, and its famous landscapes, including Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, exemplify traditional Chinese garden design. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated as a masterpiece of Chinese landscape art.

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of fortifications built over centuries, starting as early as the 7th century BC, to protect against nomadic invasions from the north. Most famously, the wall was linked and expanded during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) into the iconic structure recognized today. Stretching over 13,000 miles, it stands as a monumental symbol of China’s historical strength and engineering prowess.

Old City

The Old City is the historic core of Jerusalem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its immense religious significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its history spans millennia, with its current walls built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It is divided into four quarters—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian—and houses major holy sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a major harvest festival celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, with its origins dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China’s Shang Dynasty. It is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month to give thanks for the harvest and to pray for prosperity. The festival is best known for the custom of families gathering to admire the full moon while eating mooncakes and sharing stories.