Today, they're venturing deeper into China, with Zhangjiajie of Hunan province, Guilin of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and Huangshan of Anhui province emerging as new hot spots.

"Russian tourists no longer want to just see the Great Wall," Li notes.

"They crave hands-on cultural experiences: writing calligraphy in a Beijing hutong, making dumplings with locals, or watching intangible cultural heritage performances," she adds.

The number of Russian travelers to China is projected to grow by 20 percent this year, according to Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia.

Recently speaking on a Russian TV program, Lomidze attributes the surge to multiple factors, including restored flight connectivity nearing pre-pandemic levels and low baseline comparisons following COVIDera travel restrictions.

Aviation capacity between the two nations continues to rebound, with at least 170 weekly flights currently operating between Russian and Chinese cities, according to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency.

For Surana Radnaeva, a Russian entrepreneur and founder of legal consultancy SinoRuss, China is more than a business destination; it's an endless source of surprise and joy.

Her most recent trip in February took her from downtown Beijing's ancient hutong and AI-powered innovations in the capital city's Zhongguancun area to Shanghai's futuristic skyline, with stops to admire Tianjin's architectural wonders.