MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia attracted a total of 2.5 million foreign tourists, reflecting an increase of 20.1% compared to the same period last year. China remained the primary source of visitors, contributing over 22% of all international arrivals. These recent figures underscore the upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism sector from January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared the tourism statistics during discussions held in Shenyang, China.
The reported data are based on official tourism records concerning foreign guests utilizing collective accommodation facilities across Russia. Additionally, Rosstat data indicated that Russians undertook 43.2 million domestic trips during the first half of 2026, representing a 4.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. As a result, inbound tourism experienced a faster year-over-year growth rate than domestic travel, according to the separate official metrics used for each category.
China maintained its position as the leading source of Russia’s foreign visitors in the first half. Tourists from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India followed as other key markets. Visitors also explored beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, heading to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Moreover, Russian officials have reported establishing direct international air routes to 34 locations, including several in Asia and the Middle East.
China Dominates Russia’s Foreign Tourist Market
These tourism figures were unveiled during a Tourism Council meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Participants also attended a seminar dedicated to inbound tourism in Northeast Asia, discussing cross-border travel projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among the initiatives was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has entered the implementation phase and aims to encompass around 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road will extend from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga region, reaching Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism collaborations highlighted included the connection between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, along with tourism growth around Vladivostok. Discussions also covered the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal area, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Russia and China Expand Visa-Free Travel Arrangements
As visitor numbers grow, travel policies between Russia and China have been adjusted. Russia has extended visa-free access for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated, extending its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until the same date. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that ordinary Russian passport holders are permitted to stay visa-free for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half data also reflect a broader increase in cross-border movement between the two nations. Chinese official statistics revealed that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% rise compared to the previous year. Russia ranked second among China’s inbound destination countries during the first six months. These latest figures place China at the top of Russia’s international tourism market, accounting for more than one-fifth of all recorded foreign visitors.