MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first six months of 2026, Russia saw an influx of 2.5 million foreign tourists, reflecting a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China continued to be the leading source of visitors, making up more than 22% of all foreign arrivals. These recent statistics highlight a significant upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism from January to June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior representative at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism insights during discussions held in Shenyang, China.
The figures are based on official tourism data that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation facilities across Russia. Rosstat statistics also indicate that Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips during the initial half of 2026, representing a growth of 4.3% compared to the same period in 2025. As a result, inbound tourism expanded at a higher rate annually than domestic travel within this timeframe, according to separate official measures for each category.
During the first half of 2026, China maintained the largest share of Russia’s international visitor market. Tourists from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India were among the other major source countries. Additionally, foreign travelers ventured beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, visiting destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian authorities have also reported direct international air routes connecting to 34 locations, including several in Asia and the Middle East.
China dominates Russia’s inbound tourism market
These tourism figures were presented during a Tourism Council assembly of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar dedicated to inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. Discussions revolved around cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, including progress on the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has advanced into the implementation phase and is set to encompass 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, extending towards Moscow and St. Petersburg. Additional projects discussed included connectivity between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe and efforts to boost tourism around Vladivostok. Participants also explored the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal region, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-free agreements strengthen between Russia and China
As the flow of visitors has increased, travel regulations between Russia and China have been adjusted. Russia has extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese nationals until Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated with the same extension 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 including tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half figures mirror a broader growth in bilateral travel. Official Chinese data revealed that 154,200 Chinese tourists traveled to Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% increase year over year. During the same period, Russia ranked second among China’s inbound visitor origin countries. With these latest figures, China now leads Russia’s foreign tourism market, accounting for more than one-fifth of all recorded international guests.