MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – During the first half of 2026, Russia welcomed 2.5 million international travelers, reflecting a 20.1% rise compared to the same period the previous year. China continued to be the dominant source of tourists, representing more than 22% of all foreign visitors. These recent statistics underscore the 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 at meetings held in Shenyang, China.
The figures are based on official tourism data that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation across Russia. Additionally, Rosstat reports indicate that Russians completed 43.2 million domestic trips during the first six months of 2026, representing 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 timeframe, based on the separate official metrics used for each category.
China maintained its position as the leading source of foreign visitors to Russia during the first half of 2026. Other significant markets included travelers from Persian Gulf countries, Turkey, and India. Foreign tourists also extended their travels beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, visiting destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Officials in Russia have also noted the existence of direct international air routes connecting 34 locations, including several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Dominate Russia’s Inbound Tourist Market
The latest tourism data was unveiled during a Tourism Council session of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar focusing on inbound tourism initiatives in Northeast Asia. Discussions covered cross-border travel projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia, including the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has progressed into the implementation phase and aims to incorporate around 20 Russian regions.
The Russian segment of the Great Tea Road stretches from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga region, extending towards Moscow and St. Petersburg. Additional tourism projects discussed included connectivity between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe and tourism enhancement around Vladivostok. The delegates also examined the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Lake Baikal region, and scientific tourism related to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa Regulations Between Russia and China See Relaxation Amid Growing Travel
As travel between the two nations increases, so do changes in visa policies. Russia has extended visa-free entry for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated with an extension of its visa-free arrangement for Russian citizens until the same date. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that ordinary Russian passport holders can visit without a visa for stays up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit.
These first-half figures are part of a broader upward trend in cross-border travel. Chinese official data revealed that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 44% year-on-year increase. Russia also ranked second among China’s inbound source countries during the same period. The recent data affirms China’s position as Russia’s top foreign tourism source, with over 20% of all recorded international visitors coming from China.