MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In the first half of 2026, Russia welcomed a total of 2.5 million international visitors, reflecting an increase of 20.1% compared to the same period in the previous year. China continued to be the leading source market, contributing over 22% of all foreign travelers. These recent statistics underscore the upward trend in Russia’s inbound tourism sector from January to June. Nikita Kondratiev, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, shared these tourism insights during discussions held in Shenyang, China.
The figures are based on official tourism records that track foreign visitors utilizing collective accommodation across Russia. According to Rosstat, Russians undertook 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 experienced a faster growth rate annually than domestic travel, as per the separate official metrics used for each sector.
China maintained its position as the top source of foreign visitors to Russia during this period. Visitors from Persian Gulf nations, Turkey, and India also ranked among the key markets. Moreover, foreign tourists extended their journeys beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to destinations such as Murmansk, Vladivostok, and Kazan. Russian officials have reported direct international air routes connecting 34 destinations, including several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
China Continues to Lead Russia’s Foreign Visitor Sector
These latest tourism statistics were unveiled at a Tourism Council gathering of the Greater Tumen Initiative in Shenyang. Attendees also participated in a seminar dedicated to inbound tourism in Northeast Asia. The discussions touched on cross-border travel initiatives involving Russia, China, and Mongolia. Among projects discussed was the development of the historic Great Tea Road tourism corridor, which has now reached the implementation phase and is expected to include around 20 Russian regions.
The planned Russian segment of the Great Tea Road covers areas from the Far East and Siberia through the Urals and the Volga region, extending toward Moscow and St. Petersburg. Additional tourism projects discussed included connections between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, along with tourism growth around Vladivostok. The delegates also addressed the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and scientific tourism linked to the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Visa-Free Travel Arrangements Grow Closer Between Russia and China
As the number of visitors rises, travel regulations between Russia and China have been revised. Russia has extended visa-free access for qualifying Chinese nationals until Dec. 31, 2027. In a reciprocal move, China has prolonged its visa exemption for Russian citizens through the same date. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, ordinary Russian passport holders can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit.
The first-half statistics reflect a broader trend of increasing cross-border mobility. Official Chinese data indicated that 154,200 Chinese tourists traveled to Russia in the first quarter of 2026, which is a 44% rise year-on-year. During the same period, Russia ranked second among China’s inbound visitor sources. The latest figures confirm China’s position at the top of Russia’s foreign tourism market, with more than 20% of international arrivals recorded from this country.