(Ecns) -- The government of Russia's polar state of Murmansk has announced a program that grants Chinese group travelers visa-free access to this region starting next year, Beijing Business Daily reports.
The new rule is based on a treaty signed by China and Russia in 2000. Travel agencies will now be able to send tourist groups across both borders free of visa requirements.
The policy allows groups of 5 to 50 travelers to stay in the other country for up to 15 workdays.
Murmansk joined the agreement this July. The state is located in Kola Bay in the extreme northwest part of Russia. The regional capital is the northernmost city on the globe.