China-South Korea travel surges amid warming diplomatic ties
A weekend getaway trend is boosting travel between China and South Korea, amid President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China. South Korean youth are flying to Shanghai for quick trips, while Chinese travelers head to Seoul. Airlines have ramped up flights, with China-South Korea routes recovering to 97% of pre-pandemic levels. The surge follows eased visa policies from late 2024. Bilateral visits rose 24.7% YoY in the first 11 months of 2025. Economic deals were signed during the visit, including a multiyear e-commerce agreement between Alibaba and a major Korean retailer.