MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia saw an influx of 2.5 million foreign tourists, representing a 20.1% increase compared to the same period last year. China continued to be the leading source of visitors, contributing more than 22% of all international arrivals. These latest statistics highlight the ongoing upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism during January through June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism insights during discussions held in Shenyang, China.
The data is derived from official tourism records that track foreign visitors staying in collective accommodation across Russia. Rosstat figures also reveal that Russians undertook 43.2 million domestic trips in the first six months of 2026. This marks a 4.3% rise from the same period in 2025. Consequently, inbound tourism grew at a faster annual rate than domestic tourism during this timeframe, according to separate official metrics for each category.
During the first half of the year, China maintained its position as the primary source of Russia’s foreign visitors. Travelers from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India also ranked as key source markets. Visitors extended their travels beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials have reported that there are direct international air routes connecting Russia to 34 locations, including several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Dominate Russia’s Foreign Visitor Market
The latest tourism data was shared during a Tourism Council session of the Greater Tumen Initiative held in Shenyang. Attendees participated in a seminar focused on inbound tourism in Northeast Asia, discussing cross-border travel projects involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among these initiatives is the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism route, which has progressed into the implementation phase and is expected to include roughly 20 Russian regions.
The planned Russian segment of the Great Tea Road spans from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and Volga regions, continuing toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other tourism development projects discussed included routes connecting Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, as well as efforts around Vladivostok. The agenda also featured talks on the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Agreements Extend Between Russia and China
As cross-border travel increases, Russia and China have modified entry policies. Russia has extended visa-free access for eligible Chinese nationals through Dec. 31, 2027, while China has reciprocated by extending its visa-free regime for Russian citizens until the same date. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that ordinary Russian passport holders are permitted to 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 upward trend in travel between the two nations. Official Chinese data shows that 154,200 Chinese tourists visited Russia in the first quarter of 2026, a 44% increase year on year. Russia ranked second among China’s inbound countries during this period, with the new Russian data confirming China as the top source of international visitors, accounting for over 20% of Russia’s recorded foreign guests.