Chinese tourists increasingly eye Russia

As "The Year of Chinese Tourism" was recently launched in Russia, as part of "The China-Russia Tourism Year", more Chinese people are choosing to visit the country compared with last year, and young people are also starting to show an interest.

According to Tuniu.com, a tourism website, until March 31, the number of consultations about Russia increased nearly 150 percent year-on-year.

The Russian itinerary of Chinese tourists is mainly centered in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and lasts six to eight days. The price of a seven-day package tour from Beijing to the two cities is about 7,600 yuan ($1,227) in April, much cheaper than going to Europe. Tourists can not only enjoy the exotic culture, but also the picturesque sceneries.

According to the website, in the past, more than 70 percent of the tourists going to Russia were over 50, and most of whom went there due to a sense of nostalgia. This year, however, the country became popular among young Chinese tourists. So travel agencies unveiled new routes to attract more young people.

The website said that Russia will be one of the best choices for outbound tours because tourists can see more Chinese elements, for instance, some shop assistants in Moscow can speak a few Mandarin sentences, and individuals in group tours can enjoy free-visa entry to Russia.