MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia welcomed 2.5 million international travelers, reflecting an increase of 20.1% compared to the same period last year. China remained the leading source of visitors, making up over 22% of all foreign arrivals. These latest statistics highlight an 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 insights during discussions in Shenyang, China.
The figures are based on official tourism data that tracks foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation facilities throughout Russia. Rosstat data also indicated that Russians undertook 43.2 million domestic trips during the first six months of 2026, representing a growth of 4.3% compared to the same period in 2025. Consequently, inbound tourism experienced a faster annual expansion rate than domestic tourism, according to the separate official metrics used for each category.
During the first half of the year, China maintained its position as the top source of foreign visitors to Russia. Other significant markets included travelers from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India. Tourists also ventured beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations like Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials have also reported the existence of direct international air routes connecting to 34 locations, including multiple countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Lead Russia’s Inbound Tourist Market
The recent tourism statistics were shared during a Tourism Council gathering of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar centered on inbound tourism opportunities in Northeast Asia. Discussions involved collaborative cross-border travel projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, including the progress of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has moved into the implementation phase and is set to encompass around 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road spans regions from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga area, extending toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other projects highlighted included transportation links between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe and initiatives to boost tourism around Vladivostok. The discussions also covered the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal region, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Arrivals Grow Between Russia and China
As cross-border travel increases, travel regulations between Russia and China have been adjusted. Russia has extended visa-free access for eligible Chinese citizens until Dec. 31, 2027, and China has reciprocated with the same extension for Russian nationals. The Chinese Foreign Ministry clarified that ordinary Russian passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
These first-half results follow a broader rise in cross-border movements. Official Chinese data revealed that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% year-on-year increase. Russia ranked second among China’s inbound visitor sources during the same period. The latest figures place China at the top of Russia’s international tourism market, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total foreign visitors recorded.