Alipay

Product

Last mentioned: Feb 24, 2026

Timeline

  1. Holiday Conclusion

    South Korea records 190,000 Chinese visitors, a 44% daily average increase YoY.

  2. Lunar New Year Starts

    The 9-day holiday begins with a massive influx of Chinese tourists into Seoul.

  3. Travel Advisories Issued

    Beijing advises citizens to avoid Japan, prompting mass cancellations of holiday trips.

  4. Diplomatic Rift Begins

    Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi makes comments regarding military response to Taiwan conflict.

Stories mentioning Alipay 1

consumer-trends Neutral

Geopolitics Diverts Chinese Lunar New Year Spending from Tokyo to Seoul

A diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan has triggered a massive shift in Chinese outbound tourism, with South Korea emerging as the primary beneficiary. During the 2026 Lunar New Year, approximately 190,000 Chinese travelers visited Seoul, boosting a retail sector previously struggling with a consumption slowdown.

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