MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia attracted 2.5 million overseas tourists, representing a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China remained the dominant source market, contributing over 22% of all international arrivals. These recent statistics underscore the expanding inbound tourism trend in Russia from January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism figures during meetings held in Shenyang, China.
The data is based on official tourism statistics that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation across Russia. Rosstat reports also indicate that Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips in the first half of 2026, a 4.3% rise from the same period in 2025. As a result, inbound tourism grew at a faster annual rate than domestic tourism during this timeframe, according to the separate official metrics used for each sector.
During the first half of 2026, China held the largest share of Russia’s international visitor market. Tourists from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India followed as other major source countries. International travelers also ventured beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Furthermore, Russian authorities have reported the existence of direct international air routes connecting 34 destinations, including several in Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Lead Russia’s Foreign Visitor Market
These recent tourism figures were revealed during a Tourism Council gathering of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang. Delegates also participated in a seminar focusing on inbound tourism in Northeast Asia, where cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia were discussed. Among these projects was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has now entered the implementation phase and is expected to involve around 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road stretches from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga area, extending toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism initiatives mentioned included the connectivity between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe and the growth of tourism in the Vladivostok region. Participants also addressed the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Travel Agreements Broaden Between Russia and China
As visitor numbers continue to rise, travel regulations between Russia and China have been relaxed. Russia has extended its visa-free entry policy for eligible Chinese nationals until Dec. 31, 2027, while China has done the same for Russian citizens. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half data reflect a broader upward trend in cross-border travel. Chinese official statistics show that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, a 44% increase year over year. Additionally, Russia ranked second among China’s main sources of inbound tourists during the first half of 2026. With these figures, China now leads Russia’s foreign tourism market, accounting for more than 20% of all international visitors recorded.