Tourist flow from Russia to China’s Heilongjiang Province increases by 61% following visa-free launch

The visa-free regime between Russia and China has now been in place for six months. During this period, the tourist flow from Russia to the border province of Heilongjiang Province has increased by more than 60 per cent. This was reported by Dongbeiwang, a partner of TV BRICS.

According to local border authorities, from 15 September to 16 March, 232,000 Russian citizens entered the region through its checkpoints, representing a 61.2 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Activity is particularly high at the checkpoint in the city of Heihe, where tourists are arriving in a continuous flow. Travellers highlight the convenience of the new rules.

“Now a visa is not required to travel to China, which is very convenient. You can travel and go shopping: there are many shopping centres where you can buy something. There are many good restaurants, and the hotels are clean and comfortable,” one visitor said.

Growth in tourist numbers is also recorded at other checkpoints across the province. In Harbin, Russian visitors stroll along Central Street and attend themed fairs. In Suifenhe, Russian businesspeople arrive with prepared lists of goods and conduct business negotiations.

Local authorities are adapting infrastructure to meet rising demand: signage in Russian is being updated, cross-border payment systems are being improved, and service standards are being enhanced. As noted in the report, checkpoints in the region are gradually becoming a “cross-border living space” for visitors from Russia.