Quick answer: China is Korea's largest source market: 4.82 million visitors arrived from China between January and August 2026, up 29 percent on a year earlier. Group entry runs through government-designated travel agencies. A temporary visa-free scheme for Chinese groups started on 29 September 2025 with a published end date of 30 June 2026, and the group visa fee waiver has been extended to 31 December 2026, so confirm the current rules before quoting. Book Chinese-speaking guides early for peak weeks. Explera DMC Korea plans groups from China with the agent.

Entry for groups

Designated agencies. Group entry from China runs through travel agencies designated by the Korean government.
Visa-free scheme. A temporary visa-free scheme for groups started on 29 September 2025, with a published end date of 30 June 2026.
Fee waiver. The group visa fee waiver for China and five other countries runs to 31 December 2026.
Confirm before quoting. These rules change, so we confirm the current position for each departure.

Guides and language

Chinese-speaking guides. Licensed Mandarin-speaking guides are needed for most groups; book early for peak weeks.
Peak weeks. China's National Day Golden Week in October and the Lunar New Year bring the heaviest demand.
Written materials. Programme notes and signs in simplified Chinese help every guest.
Payments. Many shops in tourist areas accept Alipay and WeChat Pay, but not every restaurant does; we check for each meal stop.

What these groups travel for

Shopping. Cosmetics, fashion and duty-free in Seoul and Busan.
K-culture. K-pop, K-drama sets, hanbok and palace visits.
Jeju. A favourite island stay, with its own entry rules for some travellers; we check them for each group.
Incentives and MICE. Company trips with dinners, team activities and visits.

Why it works

Korea is close, flights are short and frequent, and the mix of shopping, food, culture and K-culture suits both family groups and company trips from China.

The work is in the documents and the timing. Check the group entry rules for each departure, secure Chinese-speaking guides early, and plan around Korea's own busy weeks.

Planned with the agent

Explera DMC Korea plans groups from China with the right guides, the entry documents a designated agency needs, and a programme that balances shopping with sightseeing.

Send your dates, pax and group profile to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.