MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia experienced a 20.1% rise in foreign visitors, totaling 2.5 million arrivals. China continued to be the top source of international travelers during this period, accounting for over 22% of all foreign guests recorded in Russia. These statistics were presented by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development during tourism meetings held in Shenyang, China. The figures include foreign tourists staying in collective accommodation facilities nationwide.
Domestic tourism also showed steady growth between January and June, with Rosstat reporting 43.2 million domestic trips, a 4.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, inbound tourism expanded at a faster rate, according to official statistics. These figures distinguish between domestic and international travel measures.
China remained the leading source market for inbound visitors. Countries from the Persian Gulf, Turkey, and India also contributed significant numbers of tourists. Beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, cities such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan gained attention from visitors. Russia maintained direct international flights with 34 destinations, including routes serving markets across Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Lead Russia’s Foreign Tourism Sector
These latest figures were shared during discussions under the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang, where delegates participated in a seminar on inbound tourism across Northeast Asia. The meetings focused on cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, including the development of the historic Great Tea Road, which connects several regions. The Russian segment of this route spans approximately 20 regions across a large part of the country.
This route passes through areas in the Russian Far East, Siberia, the Urals, and the Volga region before reaching Moscow and St. Petersburg. Discussions also covered connectivity between border cities such as Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, along with projects promoting tourism around Vladivostok and along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Other priorities include scientific tourism near Lake Baikal and activities related to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Arrangements Enhance Russia-China Tourist Exchanges
Travel policies between Russia and China have been expanded to facilitate easier access for eligible visitors. Russia extended visa-free entry for qualifying Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China extended its visa-free program for Russian citizens until the same date. Russian passport holders can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days under this policy, which covers tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit under specified conditions.
Pre-existing data indicated an increase in cross-border travel even before the recent half-year figures. Chinese statistics showed that 154,200 tourists traveled from China to Russia during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 44% rise from the same quarter in 2025. Russia was also among the top sources of inbound travelers to China in the first half of the year. The latest tourism data confirm that China remained Russia’s largest foreign visitor market, making up over 20% of all recorded international arrivals.