Xinhua reports that flourishing tourism enhances cultural interactions between China, Japan, and South Korea.

China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to designate the years 2025 and 2026 as the China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Exchange Year, highlighting the strong cultural affinity and similarities in traditions among the East Asian neighbors. This decision was made at the ninth trilateral summit held in Seoul on Monday.

The three countries have a long history of robust people-to-people and cultural exchanges, with tourism playing a significant role in fostering interactions among their citizens. Japanese and South Korean tourists are increasingly drawn to China, fascinated by its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Masato Takashima, a Japanese travel magazine writer, recently visited China and was deeply impressed by the traditional Chinese attire Hanfu. He praised the incorporation of Hanfu into daily life in cities like Xi’an and Luoyang, giving visitors a sense of traveling through time.

Similarly, South Korean tourists like Kim Rin have been captivated by China’s modern cities like Shanghai, as well as natural wonders like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Changbai Mountain. The allure of pandas has also led to the launch of “panda tourism” itineraries for South Korean travelers.

On the other hand, Japan and South Korea remain popular destinations for Chinese tourists, with data showing a significant increase in Chinese visitors to these countries. The trilateral summit is expected to further enhance cooperation and cultural exchanges among China, Japan, and South Korea, paving the way for closer ties in the future.