Coastal Qinhuangdao a tourism hot spot for northern neighbors

Nestled along the coastline of the Bohai Sea, Qinhuangdao in Hebei province is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Russian tourists, drawn by rich cultural attractions, natural beauty and visitor-friendly policies.

"The golden beaches and warm sunshine here are greatly loved by our Russian tourists," said Oksana Shiukashvili, general manager of a Russian tourism company, during a tourism exchange conference in late April.

"This isn't my first time in Beidaihe," she said. "As time passes, it has only become more beautiful, and we have fallen even more in love with it."

Beidaihe is one of the most renowned scenic areas in Qinhuangdao.

The city boasts a wealth of cultural and tourism resources, including Laolongtou, or Old Dragon's Head, where the Great Wall meets the sea; Shanhaiguan, a historic Great Wall pass; the Aranya Gold Coast, a hub for art and coastal leisure; and Dove Nest Park, a prime spot for viewing the sunrise.

"In recent years, the tourism facilities here have been continuously upgraded. We hope that in the future, our relationship will be closer and our cooperation will be smoother," Shiukashvili said.

Data shows a surge in Russian visitors, with Beidaihe district alone welcoming 24,500 Russian tourists last year. They accounted for nearly 80 percent of the district's total international arrivals, according to the local tourism and culture bureau.

Qinhuangdao's appeal to Russians has been amplified by China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy, which is available to citizens from 54 countries, including Russia.

The policy allows travelers with valid passports and onward tickets to explore the city's coastal charm for up to six days.

It has contributed to a 176 percent year-on-year increase in foreign arrivals during the first half of 2024, according to the local government.

"Even the six-day visa-free policy cannot meet the demands of Russian holidaymakers coming to Beidaihe," said Zhang Hailong, general manager of Qinhuangdao Haizhiyun International Travel Agency.

From January to April this year, the company received more than 280 Russian tourists and businesspeople, an increase of 180 from the same period last year. Among them, 165 were children age 10 to 16, while the rest were adults age 30 to 60, Zhang said.

The most popular destinations for Russian tourists include Dove Nest Park, Jifa ecological agricultural sightseeing garden, wildlife park, the Great Wall and hot springs at the Fishisland Ocean Resort, he said.

"During the peak tourist season from June to September, the presence of Russian tourists can be seen everywhere in Beidaihe — on beaches, in scenic spots and along commercial streets," said Li Weijie, director of the tourism and culture bureau of Beidaihe.

Li said more Russian tourists are choosing the district as their holiday destination.

"In the future, we will continue to enrich tourism offerings and promote the upgrading of tourism services, writing a new chapter in the integrated development of culture and tourism," he said.

Li's vision was echoed during the 2025 China-Russia Tourism Exchange and Promotion Fair held in Beidaihe on April 25, where representatives from both countries signed strategic partnerships to boost inbound tourism and niche markets such as study tours.

"We have been to some other countries, but this resort destination in Qinhuangdao is truly delightful," said Anastasiia Imamalieva, one of the Russian representatives attending the conference.

"I believe we will visit here again," said another Russian participant, Nadezhda Starovoitova. "This city is beautiful, the people are hospitable, the weather is sunny and the seawater is clear."

She said she visited a wildlife park, which was "huge" and home to many wild animals.

"For us Siberians, wild animals are incredibly beautiful," she said.

Li said: "From summer retreats to cultural exploration, Beidaihe's partnership with Russia continues to evolve. We aim to diversify our offerings, from seaside yoga to heritage tours."

Qinhuangdao also plans to launch international sailing events and marine research centers while advancing its "tourism plus culture plus sports" model.

With golden sands, historical landmarks and forward-thinking policies, the city is focusing on developing its tourism and cultural industry with Russia as a key partner this year.

"I really like the city of Qinhuangdao. As soon as I got off the train, I felt the enthusiasm of the staff and locals. Here, you can see many signs in Russian, which is very friendly to Russian tourists," said Iuliia Verbitskaia, a Russian visitor.

To further enhance services for Russian tourists, the city will improve the convenience of inbound tourism payments and upgrade shopping areas, local officials said.