Cultural Getaway for South Koreans, Fueled by Visa-Free Policy and Yanbian's Heritage

Short Breaks in China Attract South Korean Tourists

Short breaks in China are becoming increasingly popular among South Korean travelers, drawn to the country's cultural attractions. Seo Seo-ro, a South Korean tourist, chose the Changbai Mountain Scenic Area in Jilin province for his first overseas trip with his parents.

"I've always wanted to take my parents abroad," said Seo. "The travel agency suggested a weekend trip to China, which is popular among Korean tourists."

The two-hour flight to Yanji, capital of the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, offered a cultural immersion. The prefecture boasts a rich Korean heritage and is the province's top destination for foreign tourists.

Since China implemented a transit visa-free policy for South Korea, Yanbian has become a popular weekend getaway for Korean tourists. During the Spring Festival holiday, the number of inbound and outbound foreign tourists at Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport increased by 14.7%, with Korean tourists accounting for 88.1%.

Seo's trip included a visit to Tumen and its hot springs, a snowmobile ride to the top of Changbai Mountain, and a visit to the Tianchi Lake. They also sampled local cuisine and visited scenic spots popular on social media.

Zheng Xuefeng, a tour guide with 15 years of experience, noted that the transit visa-free policy has shortened the process of visiting China. "Weekends have become the busiest time for us," he said.

The tourism boom in Yanbian has led to an increase in the variety of tourism products available. "Most local residents can speak Korean, so there are no language barriers," Zheng added.

Last year, the total revenue for travel agencies in the prefecture reached 280 million yuan ($40 million), a 64% increase year-on-year. This growth has prompted local travel agencies to expand.

The Yanbian prefecture plans to actively develop inbound tourism markets from South Korea and Russia, investing in cultural and tourism sectors, creating new landmarks, and developing new activities.