China overtakes rivals as South Korea's top summer travel destination in 2025

China has become the most popular summer travel destination for South Koreans this year. Bookings for July and August trips have jumped by 105 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The surge follows Beijing’s visa waiver programme, which has made travel easier for South Korean visitors. In 2025, around 3.16 million South Koreans visited China—a 36.9 percent increase from the previous year. The rise in travel is driven by younger tourists, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, who favour city breaks and food-focused trips.

Shanghai has emerged as a key hotspot, attracting visitors with its Disneyland resort and trendy experiences. Makeup studios in the city now see South Korean clients weekly, many requesting date-night or camera-ready styling. Chinese cuisine, growing in popularity in South Korea, has also boosted interest in culinary travel. China now accounts for 22.2 percent of all overseas package tour reservations for the summer months. The visa waiver introduced in 2024 removed barriers, leading to a sharp uptick in bookings.

The summer travel boom has cemented China’s position as the leading overseas destination for South Koreans. With easier visa rules and a focus on food, culture, and entertainment, demand is expected to remain strong. Bookings for July and August have more than doubled compared to last year’s figures.