China and Russia announced on May 20 the extension of their mutual visa exemption policy through December 31, 2027. Following the announcement, flight searches from Russia to China surged, with St. Petersburg searches up 85% and Vladivostok up nearly 60% within an hour, according to Qunar Travel. Popular entry cities in China include Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Harbin. Top Russian destinations for Chinese travelers are Moscow, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, and Irkutsk. For summer 2026, Russian hotel bookings by Chinese tourists have doubled YoY, and flights to St. Petersburg have more than doubled.

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