On September 15, Russian travelers entered China visa-free through the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station port of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The clearance process was smooth and efficient, with many visitors experiencing their very first trip to China.

For Isachenko Marina, this marked her first journey to China. “I’m truly excited about this trip, especially visiting Shenzhen, which I’ve heard is the most vibrant city in China for technological innovation,” she said.

“This is a wonderful policy. By granting visa conveniences to each other, China and Russia are making it easier for tourists to travel and for cultural exchanges to grow,” added fellow traveler Dymchenko Anastasiia.

According to the policy, from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026, Russian citizens holding ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit.

Tourism data show strong demand: in the first half of 2025, 661,600 Russian citizens traveled to China by air, a year-on-year increase of over 70%. Since July, inbound bookings from Russia on Trip.com have surged 150%, with Shenzhen ranking sixth among Chinese destinations most favored by Russian travelers.

At Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, more than 35,000 Russian passengers have entered or transited so far this year, up 10.2% year-on-year, according to Xu Yunhua, deputy leader of the second duty team at the Shenzhen Airport Border Inspection Station.