Russia and China Explore Car Tourism Across Borders
Russia and China are discussing a special regime allowing tourists to cross the border on personal vehicles, with plans to promote tourism on the Russian Far East, including Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka. The initiative is linked to potential permanent visa-free travel between the two countries.
Consensus
- Russia and China are discussing a special regime for tourists to cross the border using personal vehicles.
- Currently, Chinese tourists enter Russia via Mongolia because direct border crossings for private cars are closed.
- The focus of the proposed tourism development is on the Russian Far East, including Vladivostock, Blagoveshchensk, Sakha (Yakutia), and Kamchatka.
- Chinese tourists also visit major Russian cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, the Volga region, and the Russian North.
- A permanent visa-free regime between Russia and China could enable long-term business investments in tourism infrastructure.
- The idea of permanent visa-free travel was proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- The number of tourists between Russia and China increased by 43% in the first half of 2026.
Coverage (2 sources)
- Russia and China are working on launching tourist trips in personal vehicles — SOTAvision
- Russia and China discuss special regime for automotive tourism — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
- Russia
- China
- Maxim Reshetnikov
- Izvestiya
- Mongolia
- Ministry of Economic Development
- Ministry of Economic Development