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

Amid the expansion of visa waiver policies and an improving atmosphere in Korea-China relations, the number of Korean content creators visiting China is on the rise. Major cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen are emerging as popular destinations for travel content.

On April 26 (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "Korean vloggers are flocking to major Chinese cities to produce travel and lifestyle content." Vloggers are individuals who shoot their daily lives and upload them as video content.

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

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According to official Chinese statistics, approximately 3.16 million Koreans visited China last year, marking a 36.9% increase compared to 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 its shopping and urban atmosphere, Shenzhen for its technological development and startup environment, and inland regions for their cultural and natural tourist attractions.

This trend is attributed to a combination of relaxed visa policies and improved diplomatic relations. In November last year, the Chinese government extended the visa-free policy for Koreans-allowing a stay of up to 30 days-for one more year. By lowering the visa burden, which had been a significant obstacle for short-term travelers and content creators, and combined with the countries' geographic proximity and the recent easing of diplomatic tensions, this has led to an increase in people-to-people exchanges.

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Korean vloggers are showcasing similarities and differences in daily life by highlighting a variety of scenes, from trying Chinese street food and interacting with locals to featuring large-scale infrastructure. The Korean YouTuber 'Heechulism,' who has 1.2 million subscribers, expressed his surprise at everyday scenes in Shenzhen in one of his videos, saying, "Wow, there's a McDonald's in Shenzhen." After experiencing an unmanned electric taxi, he noted he was deeply impressed by the level of technological advancement. He also mentioned that taxis, which used to be dominated by Hyundai vehicles, have now largely shifted to Chinese brands such as BYD.

Another YouTuber, 'Naghang,' who has about 240,000 subscribers, marveled at the taste of local food in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and was impressed by a digital system that indicates whether toilet stalls are occupied.

There have also been reactions to mobile payment systems. Some initially faced difficulties using them, but adapted with the help of locals.

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

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Vlogger Park Daeil, who has 550,000 subscribers and has lived in China for seven years, told SCMP, "After the visa waiver between Korea and China, there has indeed been a surge of Korean vloggers heading to China." He added, "Among my acquaintances who produce travel or lifestyle content, more are planning to film in China following the new visa policy. Some are aiming for higher online views, while others visit out of interest in Chinese culture or business opportunities."

He continued, "There are also cases of people exploring start-up opportunities in Shanghai or Shenzhen, and since many creators haven't fully experienced China yet, the number of visits will keep increasing. Now that the door is open, everyone wants to take a look." He added, "Recently, Chinese-related content has been receiving a very positive response on Korean platforms."

SCMP noted, "This trend is also linked to the stabilization of Korea-China relations since 2025. High-level exchanges, such as President Lee Jaemyung's visit to Beijing in January this year, have highlighted the expansion of trade and cultural cooperation."

Previously, relations between the two countries became tense in 2017 due to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, China has expanded its visa-free policy to attract tourists and business visitors starting in 2023. Currently, nationals from 79 countries can enter China without a visa, and among them, 50 countries are subject to unilateral visa exemption.

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

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