MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia recorded 2.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2026, up 20.1% from a year earlier. China remained the largest source market, accounting for more than 22% of foreign visitors. The latest figures reinforce the growth in Russia’s inbound tourism during January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, presented the tourism figures during meetings in Shenyang, China.
The statistics are based on official tourism data covering foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation facilities across Russia. Rosstat data also indicated that Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips in the first six months of 2026. This represented a 4.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Consequently, inbound tourism grew at a faster annual rate than domestic tourism during this period, according to the separate official measures used for each category.
China maintained its position as the largest source of Russia’s foreign visitors during the first half of the year. Tourists from Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, and India followed as other major source markets. Foreign travelers also expanded their visits beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials have also reported the existence of direct international flights connecting 34 locations, including several in Asia and the Middle East.
China Dominates Russia’s Inbound Tourism Market
The recent tourism data were shared during a Tourism Council meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar focused on inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. The discussions covered cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. A key project was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has entered the implementation phase and is planned to include approximately 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road will stretch from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga region, continuing towards Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism projects discussed included connections between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, along with tourism growth around Vladivostok. The delegates also examined the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal area, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Travel Between Russia and China Expands
Travel arrangements between Russia and China have evolved as visitor numbers increase. Russia extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese citizens through Dec. 31, 2027, while China did the same for Russian citizens. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that ordinary Russian passport holders can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit purposes.
The first-half figures reflect a broader rise in cross-border travel between the two nations. Chinese official data revealed that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% increase compared to the previous year. Russia ranked second among China’s source countries for inbound visitors during the first half. These latest Russian statistics position China as the leading foreign market for Russia’s tourism, with over 20% of all international visitors recorded.