MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – During the initial six months of 2026, Russia experienced a 20.1% boost in international tourism, welcoming a total of 2.5 million foreign travelers, with China continuing to be the predominant source of overseas visitors over this period. Chinese tourists made up more than 22% of all foreign arrivals documented in Russia. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development shared these statistics at tourism conferences held in Shenyang, China, with the data encompassing foreign visitors who stayed in collective accommodation facilities throughout the nation.
In addition to international growth, Russia also saw ongoing expansion within its domestic tourism sector during January through June. According to Rosstat, there were 43.2 million domestic tourist trips in the first half of 2026, reflecting a 4.3% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. Official data indicate that inbound tourism experienced a comparatively faster growth rate annually during this period, although the two categories are tracked separately—one for domestic and one for international travel.
China led the inbound tourism sector, with significant contributions also coming from Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, and India. During the first half of the year, international tourists visited destinations beyond the well-known cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, with Russian officials highlighting locations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russia maintained direct international air routes to 34 destinations, covering regions across Asia and the Middle East.
China continues to be Russia’s leading foreign tourism market
The latest statistics were presented during tourism discussions within the framework of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang, where delegates also participated in a seminar dedicated to inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. These meetings focused on cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, with particular attention given to the development of the historic Great Tea Road, a tourism route connecting several regions. The plans for the Russian section of this route include around 20 regions spread across a large part of the country.
The route passes through areas in the Russian Far East, Siberia, the Urals, and the Volga region, extending further toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Discussions also covered connectivity between border towns like Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, along with initiatives to boost visitor numbers around Vladivostok and links to the Trans-Siberian Railway. Other topics included tourism development at Lake Baikal and scientific tourism near the Vostochny Cosmodrome, which are part of regional tourism strategies.
Visa-free arrangements bolster tourism flows between Russia and China
Travel regulations between Russia and China have been further relaxed to facilitate eligible visitors, with Russia extending visa-free entry for qualifying Chinese nationals through December 31, 2027. Similarly, China has maintained its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until the same date. Under this arrangement, Russian passport holders can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days, with permissions granted for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit, provided they meet the specified entry conditions.
The increase in cross-border travel between Russia and China had already been evident before the latest half-year figures, with Chinese data indicating that 154,200 tourists traveled from China to Russia in the first quarter of 2026—a 44% rise compared to the same period in 2025. Russia was also among the top sources of inbound tourists to China during the first half of 2026. The newest Russian tourism statistics confirm that China remained the country’s largest source of foreign visitors, accounting for over 20% of all international arrivals recorded in Russia.