China began a test period on Monday for a policy allowing Russian holders of ordinary passports to enter the country without a visa, a move the government hopes will significantly boost tourism and economic exchanges between the two nations.

The policy, announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, will be in effect until Sept 14 next year. Under the rule, Russian citizens can stay for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges and transit.

On Monday, Flight IJ213 arrived at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Heilongjiang province at 11:15 am, carrying the first group of nine Russian tourists entering Harbin under the visa-free policy.

Data from the Harbin Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station showed that more than 150,000 foreign passengers had passed through Harbin airport this year as of Monday, a 32 percent increase year-on-year. Russian travelers accounted for 40 percent of the total, making them the largest group.

Russian tourist Gara Abbasov, the first on Monday to enter Dongning port in Mudanjiang, a Heilongjiang city that borders Russia, said: "In the past, we had to apply for a visa in advance. Now, with just a passport, all customs clearance procedures take only a few minutes."

Abbasov said he plans to visit business partners in Harbin, the capital of the province, and explore some local attractions.

The new policy came as Russia has become a key source of inbound tourists for China. Last year, the Chinese mainland received more than 1.5 million Russian visitors, a 115 percent increase year-on-year, according to data from the Chinese embassy in Russia.

Russian tour company ITM predicted that China could soon become one of the top five international destinations for Russian travelers.

Taking steps

With the policy expected to drive a surge in arrivals, cities popular with Russian tourists are already taking steps to accommodate the growing demand. The tropical resort city of Sanya in Hainan province has enhanced its Russian-language services and tourism offerings.

Wu Xiaolin, Party secretary and deputy director general of Sanya's tourism board, said, "Major scenic spots, airports and business districts now have clear Russian signage, and more Russian-speaking staff members are available to assist visitors."

Sanya has developed tailored tourism products for Russian visitors, including traditional Chinese medicine retreats, rainforest healing programs and meditation experiences in temples, as they have shown strong interest in Chinese wellness and cultural activities. The resort city has also expanded cooperation with Russian travel agencies and participated in tourism exhibitions in Russia to discuss market trends.

Local hotels have welcomed an increasing number of Russian guests. Harman Hotel Sanya recorded a 348 percent year-on-year rise in Russian bookings from January to August. The hotel has added family rooms with extra beds and introduced all-inclusive packages for Russian-speaking guests, along with implementing Russian signage, employing multilingual staff and offering various dining options.

Russian tourist Yerkebulan Tynymov said: "There are many Russian speakers in Sanya, and payment with cash or Alipay is easy. Chinese cuisine is diverse and delicious."

Wuzhizhou Island, a major water sports tourist attraction in Sanya, expects a surge in Russian visitors due to the new policy. Chen Hong, head of the island's enterprise management department, said that Russian tourists are drawn to activities such as scuba diving and jet skiing, as well as sightseeing and cultural experiences on the island. The scenic spot has hired Russian-speaking staff and provides information in Russian.