Young South Korean travelers are redefining weekend getaways by combining leisure with historical exploration in Shanghai. While the city's futuristic skyline and trendy cafes remain popular, many now visit the former Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea site – a modest building where Korean independence activists strategized during Japan's 1910-1945 occupation.
"This trip feels like walking through pages of our textbooks," said Seoul resident Kim Ji-hoon, 28, among dozens of visitors examining faded maps and handwritten letters at the museum. The site has seen a 40% increase in South Korean visitors this year, according to local guides.
The trend reflects growing interest in historical connections between the two neighbors, with direct flights from Seoul enabling same-day cultural pilgrimages. Analysts note such exchanges could strengthen people-to-people ties amid evolving regional dynamics.
Shanghai's tourism bureau has added Korean-language signage at key historical sites, while travel agencies now offer specialized "Independence Trail" tours blending 1930s architecture with revolutionary history.
