"Is It a Missed Opportunity Not to Go Now? The Place Guaranteeing Views... Korean Vloggers Flock In"

3.16 Million Koreans Visited China Last Year, Up 36.9%

Driven by Visa Exemptions and Improved Korea-China Relations

Travel Content Featuring Chinese Cities Surges

As visa exemption policies expand and the atmosphere surrounding Korea-China relations improves, an increasing number of Korean content creators are visiting China. Major cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen are emerging as popular subjects for travel content.

On the 26th (local time), the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "Korean vloggers are flocking to major Chinese cities and creating travel and lifestyle content." Vloggers are individuals who film their daily lives and upload them as video content.

A tourist is taking a photo of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. Unsplash

According to official Chinese statistics, approximately 3.16 million Koreans visited China last year, marking a 36.9% increase from the previous year. This is the highest growth rate among major overseas travel destinations. In January of this year alone, more than 300,000 Koreans visited China, a 48% increase year-on-year.

The main destinations include Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Zhangjiajie. Shanghai is popular for shopping and its urban atmosphere, Shenzhen is known for technological advancement and its startup environment, and the inland regions attract visitors with their culture and natural tourist sites.

This trend is seen as the result of both the relaxation of visa policies and improved diplomatic relations. In November last year, the Chinese government extended its visa-free policy for Korean nationals, allowing stays of up to 30 days for another year. By lowering the barrier of visa requirements—which had been a major obstacle for short-term travelers and content creators—and combining this with the geographical proximity of the two countries and the recent easing of diplomatic tensions, the increase in people-to-people exchanges has accelerated.

Filming Everyday Life: Local Interactions and Urban Infrastructure in China

Korean vloggers are capturing a wide range of scenes, from trying street food and interacting with locals to showcasing large-scale infrastructure, highlighting both similarities and differences with daily life in Korea. The Korean YouTuber 'Heecheolism', who has 1.2 million subscribers, expressed surprise at everyday sights in a video filmed during his visit to Shenzhen, exclaiming, "Wow, there's a McDonald's in Shenzhen." He was also deeply impressed by the level of technological advancement after experiencing an unmanned electric taxi. In addition, he noted that taxis, which used to be dominated by Hyundai Motor vehicles, have now largely switched to Chinese brands such as BYD.

Another YouTuber, 'Naghang', who has about 240,000 subscribers, tried local food in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and marveled at how delicious it was. He also expressed amazement at the digital system that indicates whether bathroom stalls are occupied.

There was also a notable response to mobile payment systems. While some initially faced difficulties using them, they were shown adapting with the help of local residents.

Night view of Pudong New District as seen from the Bund in Shanghai, China. Hanatour

"Koreans Are Very Interested in Chinese Content"

Vlogger Park Daeil, who has about 550,000 subscribers and has lived in China for seven years, told SCMP, "There is a real phenomenon of Korean vloggers flocking to China following the visa exemption for Koreans." He added, "Among friends who produce travel or lifestyle content, an increasing number are planning to shoot in China since the change in visa policies. Some are aiming for higher online view counts, while others are visiting out of interest in Chinese culture or the business environment."

He also said, "Some are exploring startup possibilities in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, and since there are still many content creators who have yet to fully experience China, visits are likely to keep increasing. Now that the door has opened, everyone wants to see inside." He further noted, "Recently, Chinese-related content has been receiving a very positive response on Korean platforms."

SCMP pointed out, "This trend is also closely linked with the stabilization of Korea-China relations after 2025. High-level exchanges, such as President Lee Jaemyung's visit to Beijing in January this year, have focused on expanding trade and cultural cooperation."

Previously, bilateral relations had been strained, notably due to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in 2017. Since 2023, China has expanded its visa-free policy to attract tourists and business visitors in the wake of COVID-19. Currently, citizens of 79 countries can enter China without a visa, with 50 of those countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption.

This policy is considered to have contributed not only to tourism but also to the expansion of China's soft power. According to China's National Immigration Administration, in 2025, 30.08 million foreigners entered China visa-free, accounting for about three-quarters of all foreign arrivals and representing an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.