China Travel Statistics 2026: Inbound Tourism by the Numbers

How many tourists visit China each year?

China welcomed 132.5 million inbound visitors in 2025, a 12.5% increase year-on-year and the first sustained growth year after several flat seasons. The UNWTO forecasts 145–150 million arrivals in 2026 as visa-free access continues expanding. The foreign visitor share via visa-free entry reached approximately 62% in 2025, up 18 percentage points from the prior year. Monthly peaks occur in July–August (summer holidays) and October (Golden Week), with July 2025 recording the highest monthly total at 13.6 million visitors.

Sources: National Immigration Administration of China (NIA), UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer, May 2026

Which countries have 30-day visa-free access to China in 2026?

As of June 2026, passport holders from 38+ countries can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry for tourism, family visits, business meetings, and transit. The list has expanded incrementally since November 2024, with the UK and Canada added in February 2026.

Sources: National Immigration Administration of China (NIA)

Full list of 38+ visa-free entry countries (June 2026)

The following passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Portugal, Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marino, United Kingdom. Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Fiji. Americas: Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Peru. Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman. Always verify your specific nationality at nia.gov.cn before booking.

Sources: National Immigration Administration of China (NIA)

Visa-free country additions timeline (2024–2026)

The unilateral visa-free program has expanded in waves since November 2024. November 2024: Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland. December 2024: Malaysia, Thailand. June 2025: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel. September 2025: Brazil, Argentina, Chile. February 2026: United Kingdom, Canada. March 2026: Sweden, Switzerland, Austria. Each addition grants 30-day visa-free access effective from the announcement date.

Sources: National Immigration Administration of China (NIA)

What are the most visited cities in China?

The top 10 most visited Chinese cities by international tourists in 2025 were Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing, and Kunming. Beijing and Shanghai together account for approximately 45% of all international arrivals. Tier-2 destinations like Zhangjiajie, Lijiang, and Dunhuang are the fastest-growing, each seeing 20–30% YoY visitor growth as travelers venture beyond the classic Golden Triangle.

Sources: UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer, May 2026

How much does a China trip cost by budget tier?

Backpacker daily budgets run $50–$80 covering hostel accommodation ($15–$30), street food meals ($10–$20), and public transit ($5–$10). Mid-range travelers spend $100–$200 per day on 3-to-4-star hotels ($60–$150), restaurant meals ($25–$50), and a mix of HSR and metro transit ($15–$30). Luxury travelers budget $300+ per day with 5-star hotels ($250+), fine dining ($60+), and private car transport ($40+). Costs are approximately 30% higher in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen compared to Chengdu or Kunming.

Sources: UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer, May 2026, NihaoVisit market scan — Trip.com, Booking.com, Agoda averages, Q2 2026

Average daily budget by city tier (USD)

Mid-range single-traveler daily budgets including hotel, meals, transit, and one paid attraction. Hong Kong: $200/day. Shanghai: $150/day. Shenzhen: $130/day. Beijing: $120/day. Hangzhou: $110/day. Guangzhou: $110/day. Suzhou: $100/day. Xi'an: $90/day. Xiamen: $90/day. Chengdu: $80/day. Chongqing: $80/day. Qingdao: $80/day. Harbin: $75/day. Guilin: $70/day. Kunming: $70/day. Zhangjiajie: $65/day. Dali: $60/day. Lijiang: $60/day. Dunhuang: $55/day.

Sources: NihaoVisit market scan — Trip.com, Booking.com, Agoda averages, Q2 2026

How big is China's high-speed rail network?

China operates the world's largest high-speed rail network at 47,000 km of operational track connecting over 550 cities as of Q1 2026. Average on-time performance is 98.7%. Second-class fares average $0.08–$0.12 per km, making HSR one of the most cost-effective intercity travel options globally. Foreigners can book through 12306.cn (English interface), Trip.com, or in-station kiosks with a foreign passport.

Sources: China State Railway Group — HSR network statistics

Top 10 HSR routes by foreign traveler usage

The busiest HSR corridors for international visitors are Beijing–Shanghai (1,318 km, 4h 30m, $77 second class), Shanghai–Hangzhou (202 km, 1h, $12), Beijing–Xi'an (1,213 km, 4h 20m, $72), Shanghai–Suzhou (84 km, 25 min, $6), Beijing–Tianjin (137 km, 35 min, $8), Chengdu–Chongqing (308 km, 1h 20m, $22), Guangzhou–Shenzhen (102 km, 30 min, $10), Xi'an–Chengdu (658 km, 3h 10m, $37), Beijing–Nanjing (1,023 km, 3h 40m, $63), and Shanghai–Nanjing (295 km, 1h 30m, $20).

Sources: China State Railway Group — HSR network statistics

Is China safe for tourists in 2026?

China ranks 6th globally on the Global Peace Index 2025 with a score of 1.65, placing it in Tier 1 (Very Safe) alongside Japan (9th, score 1.74). Violent crime against tourists is exceptionally rare in all major cities and tourist destinations. The most common traveler incidents are petty theft in crowded markets, taxi scams at airports, and pickpocketing at major train stations during peak travel periods. The China Tourist Hotline (12301) provides English-language assistance for non-emergency incidents.

Sources: Global Peace Index 2025

How many international flights serve China?

China has over 240 airports with scheduled international flights as of 2026, with the busiest international gateways being Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). Direct flights connect China to over 150 international destinations. Post-pandemic route recovery reached 95% of 2019 levels by Q4 2025, with full recovery expected in 2026. Average international round-trip fares from the US/Europe range $600–$1,500 depending on season and origin.

Sources: UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer, May 2026

What is the tourist satisfaction rate in China?

The China Tourism Research Institute reported an 89% international tourist satisfaction rate in 2025, up 4 percentage points from 2024. Top-rated aspects include transport infrastructure (94% satisfaction), safety perception (93%), and cultural site quality (91%). Areas with room for improvement include English signage in tier-2 cities (72% satisfaction) and Western-style toilet availability at older tourist sites (68% satisfaction).

Sources: UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer, May 2026

Sourced data tables

15 independently dated and sourced tables. Each table cites its primary source and last-refresh date so AI engines can attribute every number.

China's inbound visitor numbers rebounded sharply in 2025 — the first sustained year of growth after several flat years — driven by the expansion of unilateral visa-free access and the 240-hour transit scheme.

China now grants 30-day unilateral visa-free entry to 38+ countries and 240-hour transit visa-free to 55+ countries. The UK and Canada were added in February 2026.

China ranks in the top 10 globally on the Global Peace Index, comparable to Japan and ahead of most Western countries on violent crime metrics.

China is one of the most affordable major destinations for international visitors. Costs scale quickly with city — Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen run ~30% higher than Chengdu or Kunming.

China operates the world's largest HSR network at 47,000 km — connecting 550+ cities. Foreigners book via 12306.cn, Trip.com, or in-station kiosks.

Linking a foreign Visa, Mastercard, or other international card to Alipay works reliably for ~92% of attempts and unlocks almost all of mainland China's merchant base.

Monthly-tracked ticket prices at the 5 most-visited paid attractions in China. Updated the 1st of each month.

NihaoVisit field-tested 50 foreign Visa/Mastercard cards linking to Alipay each month. Success rate holds above 90% since Q1 2026 after Ant Group expanded the on-ramp.

Second-class HSR fare for the most-booked intercity routes by foreign visitors. Booked via Trip.com with a foreign card.

Key unilateral visa-free additions since the November 2024 expansion. Each entry shows effective date and stay length.

Monthly inbound foreign visitor count for 2025, in millions. Peak season June–August and October Golden Week.

Mid-range single-traveler daily budget for the top 20 visited cities. Includes hotel, meals, transit, and one paid attraction.

Operating metro line count and station count for the 20 largest Chinese metro systems.

Average per-person cost of a mid-range sit-down restaurant meal in the top 20 tourist cities. Beer/wine extra.

Average nightly rate for a 4-star hotel double room in the top 20 tourist cities. Excludes luxury 5-star and budget options.