MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia attracted 2.5 million international tourists during the first half of 2026, representing a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China continued to be the leading source market, contributing over 22% of all foreign visitors. These latest statistics highlight the upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism from January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism figures at meetings held in Shenyang, China.
The numbers are based on official tourism data that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation across Russia. Rosstat data also indicates Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips during the first six months of 2026, marking a 4.3% rise from the same period in 2025. Consequently, inbound tourism grew at a faster pace annually than domestic tourism during this timeframe, according to separate official statistics for each category.
China held the dominant position in Russia’s foreign visitor market during the first half. Tourists from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India were among other key source countries. Foreign travelers expanded their visits beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to locations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials also reported direct international air routes connecting to 34 destinations, including several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China maintains leadership in Russia’s inbound tourism sector
During a Tourism Council meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang, the latest tourism data was presented. Delegates also participated in a seminar focusing on inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. Discussions encompassed cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among these was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism corridor, which has advanced to the implementation phase and is set to include approximately 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road covers regions from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga area, extending toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism projects discussed included connections between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, as well as tourism development around Vladivostok. Participants also explored the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal region, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-free agreements expand between Russia and China
Travel regulations between Russia and China have been adjusted in response to rising visitor numbers. Russia extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China extended its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until the same date. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit purposes.
The first-half figures reflect a broader increase in cross-border travel between the two nations. Chinese official statistics reveal that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, a 44% rise from the previous year. During the first half of 2026, Russia ranked second among China’s source countries for inbound visitors. These new Russian statistics position China as the top foreign source market for Russia, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total international arrivals recorded.