MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia’s international visitor count reached 2.5 million, representing a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China continued to be the leading source of foreign tourists, making up more than 22% of all visitors. These recent statistics underscore the upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism between January and June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these figures during meetings held in Shenyang, China.
The data is derived from official tourism statistics that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation facilities across Russia. Additionally, Rosstat reports indicate that Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips during the first half of 2026, marking a 4.3% rise compared to the same period in 2025. As a result, inbound tourism experienced a faster growth rate annually than domestic travel, based on the separate official metrics used for each category.
China maintained its position as the largest source of foreign visitors to Russia in this period. Other notable countries contributing significantly to the influx included travelers from the Persian Gulf, Turkey, and India. Tourists ventured beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials also highlighted the existence of direct international flights connecting 34 destinations, including multiple countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Dominates Russia’s Incoming Tourist Market
These latest tourism figures were revealed during a Tourism Council session of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Delegates additionally participated in a seminar centered on inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. The discussions covered cross-border travel projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among the initiatives discussed was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has now entered the implementation phase and is expected to encompass approximately 20 Russian regions.
The Russian portion of the Great Tea Road is planned to extend from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga regions, continuing toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism initiatives discussed during the meetings included connections between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, tourism growth around Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Travel Between Russia and China Expands
As visitor numbers rise, travel regulations between Russia and China have evolved. Russia has extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese nationals until Dec. 31, 2027. Meanwhile, China has maintained its visa-free policy for Russian citizens through the same date. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders are permitted to stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The figures for the first half of 2026 also reflect a broader trend of increasing cross-border travel. Chinese official statistics indicated that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia during the first quarter of 2026, which is a 44% rise compared to the previous year. During the first half of the year, Russia ranked second among China’s inbound destinations. These new Russian figures place China at the top of Russia’s foreign tourism market, accounting for more than 20% of all recorded international visitors.