Envoy: Azerbaijan attracting increasing number of Chinese tourists

Ambassador of China to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, has said that bilateral relations between Baku and Beijing are deepening significantly, particularly in tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people contacts, following the introduction of mutual visa exemption.

Speaking in an interview with Report, the Lu Mei recalled that during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China in April last year, the two sides witnessed the signing of an agreement on mutual visa exemption between the governments of China and Azerbaijan.

Quoting President Aliyev, she noted his remark that even a small share of Chinese outbound travellers could have a major impact on Azerbaijan’s tourism sector, while also underlining the benefits for Azerbaijani citizens visiting China more easily.

Lu Mei said the visa-free regime has already led to a steady increase in mutual tourist flows. She highlighted that Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly attractive to Chinese visitors thanks to its combination of Eastern and Western cultural heritage, pointing to destinations such as the Old City of Baku (Icherisheher), Gobustan rock carvings, and the Heydar Aliyev Center as key attractions.

According to her, more than 60,000 Chinese tourists visited Azerbaijan in 2025, marking a record high.

Beyond tourism, the ambassador said the agreement is strengthening broader cultural understanding between the two societies.

She noted that Azerbaijani bloggers have recently travelled to China, sharing impressions of cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Chengdu, as well as scenic and historical sites such as the Yangtze River Three Gorges, Zhangjiajie, and Kashgar.

She also pointed to growing public interest in Chinese culture in Azerbaijan, including the popularity of Chinese cuisine such as roast duck, hotpot, ramen, and dumplings, as well as increasing interest among young Azerbaijanis in learning the Chinese language and performing Chinese songs.

On connectivity, Lu Mei said direct flights operated by China Southern Airlines and Azerbaijan Airlines now link Beijing, Urumqi, and Baku with more than a dozen weekly services, significantly easing travel between the two countries.

Looking ahead, the ambassador said the Chinese Embassy in Baku will continue to support academic, cultural, and tourism exchanges, encouraging more Azerbaijani citizens to visit China and experience its “centuries-old cultural charm and modern dynamism.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev