China Invites South Koreans to Celebrate Spring Festival Together

China's Foreign Ministry has acknowledged that enhancing travel exchanges with South Korea fosters greater mutual understanding between the two nations. This sentiment has come to the forefront as this year's Spring Festival approaches.

Following reports that South Korea is anticipated to emerge as the top destination for Chinese outbound tourists during the Spring Festival, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian noted the pivotal role of travel facilitation in strengthening ties. Such developments are partly driven by the increasing popularity of the 'Korean Wave' and South Korea's visa-free entry policy.

In this spirit, Lin also extended a warm invitation to South Korean friends, encouraging them to visit China and partake in the Spring Festival celebrations. The move is expected to bolster cultural exchanges and further deepen bilateral relations.

On the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, Dai Bing, welcomed the international community, particularly South Koreans, to join in the festivities within China. He highlighted that Monday marked the kickoff of the Spring Festival travel rush, describing it as a significant time for both nations.

Recent data from travel platforms has revealed a remarkable surge in flight bookings by foreign tourists during the Spring Festival, skyrocketing over 400 percent compared to the previous year. This sharp increase indicates a growing trend of international travelers seeking to celebrate the festival in China.

Dai emphasized that the Spring Festival encapsulates universal themes of reunion, hope, and renewal, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. He reiterated the invitation to global friends, particularly from South Korea, to experience the joyous occasion together.

Bloomberg has reported that estimates show South Korea is likely to surpass Japan as the preferred choice for Chinese travelers during the upcoming Chinese New Year for the first time post-pandemic. This shift marks a significant milestone in post-COVID travel trends.

Approximately 230,000 to 250,000 visitors from mainland China are expected to visit South Korea during the nine-day holiday commencing February 15, which represents a robust increase of up to 52 percent from last year. Such numbers reflect the revitalized travel dynamics between the two countries.

China Eastern Airlines has reported a strong demand for flights from Shanghai to Busan, with passenger loads exceeding 90 percent on the inaugural day of the Spring Festival travel season. This underscores the growing interest in cross-border travel during this festive period.

Furthermore, data from Flight Master has indicated a consistent increase in weekly flight volumes from the Chinese mainland to South Korea, recently surpassing 1,000 flights in the first week of 2026. This represents a recovery to 97.2 percent of pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019.

As of December 2025, there were 64 established routes connecting the Chinese mainland to South Korea, a testament to the strengthened transport ties that facilitate easier travel between the two nations.