Russians find destinations, free from visa requirements, superior to Thailand.
Russians planning a leisure trip to China need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) in advance, as China does not grant visa-free entry or electronic visas to Russians for tourism. The visa application typically requires a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity, recent passport photos, a completed application form, and proof of travel plans such as flight and hotel bookings. Visa processing times vary but often take 4–10 business days, and biometric data collection may be required.[1]
Currently, no direct mention was found regarding changes in visa-free entry for Russians to China; however, ongoing diplomatic efforts suggest potential future ease in travel formalities. Chinese and Russian authorities are negotiating easier visa procedures and reducing the size threshold for visa-free group visits, possibly allowing groups of three instead of five in the future.[2]
In terms of travel restrictions, no specific additional COVID-19 or other pandemic-related restrictions were indicated in the search results for 2025.
Russians can enjoy a 30-day stay on the resort island of Hainan, but leaving these administrative regions is not allowed. On the other hand, Russians can travel to China independently and stay for up to 14 days in Hong Kong without a visa, and up to 30 days in Macau. In Shanghai and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, Russian transit travelers can stay for 144 hours, allowing them to explore the city and its surroundings.[3]
Transit tourists can visit China without a visa for up to 72 hours in major international airports like Beijing, Dalian, Harbin, Wuhan, and others, as long as they stay within the city limits and present their onward travel documents.[3]
It's worth noting that traveling for leisure to many countries can be challenging for Russians due to visa requirements, cleanliness issues, insect and sanitation problems, and political tensions.
For those interested in learning more about life in Magadan and Magadan Oblast, there is a group available on Telegram.
References: [1] VisaHQ [2] TASS [3] China Highlights
- Traveling to China for leisure requires Russians to apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) in advance, as visa-free entry or electronic visas are not granted for tourism.
- Negotiations between Chinese and Russian authorities suggest potential future ease in travel formalities, with discussions on easier visa procedures and reducing the size threshold for visa-free group visits.
