China will welcome travelers from Chile and select South American countries visa-free from June 2025 to May 2026, creating new opportunities to explore two continents' most breathtaking landscapes. The initiative aims to strengthen cultural and economic ties while showcasing natural marvels that mirror each other across the Pacific.
Adventure seekers can now plan dual itineraries featuring Chile's Andean peaks and the Chinese mainland's otherworldly salt lakes. The UNESCO-listed Atacama Desert – often called Earth's closest analog to Mars – finds its counterpart in Qinghai's Chaka Salt Lake, where crystalline surfaces create surreal mirror effects under wide Asian skies.
Business analysts note the timing aligns with growing South American interest in Chinese renewable energy projects near these mineral-rich regions. Meanwhile, tourism operators anticipate a 40% surge in cross-Pacific bookings, with package tours combining Chilean wine routes and Chinese tea culture experiences already in development.
For the Asian diaspora in South America, the policy eases family reunions and heritage tourism. Direct flights between Santiago and Beijing are expected to increase, with airlines considering stopovers at emerging Chinese tech hubs like Chengdu and Hefei.
