Shanghai has become the top choice for South Korean tourists, due to China's 240-hour transit visa-free policy.

According to LY.com, a leading Chinese travel platform, South Korean tourist arrivals in Shanghai have surged since mid-December 2024.

South Korean tourists stroll through the bustling street of Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Huangpu district has emerged as the most popular area among South Korean visitors.

Iconic attractions, such as the Yuyuan Garden and the Bund, continue to draw significant attention.

The district also holds historical significance for South Korean visitors, as the former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea is located there.

[Photo/VCG]

Pudong New Area is another hotspot, attracting visitors with its world-famous Shanghai Disney Resort and iconic Lujiazui skyline — which features landmarks like the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai Tower, and the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Workers dress up as Disney characters and pose for a promotional photo in front of the entrance to Shanghai Disneyland in Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Beyond sightseeing and shopping, South Korean tourists are immersing themselves in Shanghai's culture, exploring trendy spots like cafes, bars, and night markets.

Shanghai's modern infrastructure and convenient transportation system further enhance the visitor experience. Weekly flights between South Korea and Shanghai are heavily booked, with Busan showing a 115.8 percent year-on-year growth, followed by Seoul and Jeju, from mid-December 2024 to early January 2025. Local hotels have also introduced packages specifically for South Korean tourists to lower costs and boost satisfaction.

Source: International Services Shanghai (https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/)

International Services Shanghai is an upgraded, multilingual portal for the Shanghai municipal government. It offers detailed policies, news updates, and useful tips for expats in Shanghai who are seeking information on business, employment, travel, education, or shopping.

The answer is obvious. In a long time, Korean think their country is better than China. They have not seen the true views of China. In recent time, China is visa-free for South Korea. So many foreigners go traveling to China. Then they have seen a completely different view. The most important is that Shanghai is a prosperous city. It gathers a majority of richer.
And its Infrastructure construction is better than other city, therefore Shanghai also be called "magic city". What they see are the heirs of the next generation of China's most powerful places.