Cross-border travel between China and Russia has surged following Moscow's implementation of a 30-day visa-free policy for Chinese citizens, with Heihe Port in Heilongjiang Province becoming a hive of activity. The policy, effective this month, has drawn crowds eager to experience Russia's cultural and commercial offerings firsthand.
China reciprocated in September 2025 with a one-year trial of visa-free entry for Russian nationals, cementing a bilateral push to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. The Heilongjiang River border—where travelers can reach Blagoveshchensk via a two-minute hovercraft ride—now buzzes with daily foot traffic. Local Russian businesses report a 40% increase in customer visits since the policy took effect, according to preliminary data.
"This is more than tourism—it's economic symbiosis," said Blagoveshchensk restaurant owner Ivan Petrov, noting rising demand for Chinese payment platforms like Alipay. Analysts predict the streamlined travel could boost cross-border trade volumes by $1.2 billion annually, particularly benefiting agriculture and retail sectors.
The thaw in travel restrictions comes as both nations deepen economic cooperation under the Eurasian Economic Union framework, with infrastructure upgrades planned for 2026 to accommodate growing passenger flows.
