China is one of the world’s most visited countries — known for its imperial history, ultra-modern cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, cuisine, and cultural diversity.
Before the pandemic, China logged 145 million international visitors a year, ranking among the top tourism markets globally.
After strict travel closures, tourism has been steadily recovering: domestic tourism surged back to ~6 billion trips in 2024, and international tourism is gradually reopening, with strong growth expected into 2025–2026.
Key stats: China Tourism
- 5.615 billion domestic trips in 2024 – China’s home-market tourism is booming again, up almost 15% year-on-year.
- ≈ US$790 billion spent on domestic travel in 2024 – massive internal tourism economy powering regional growth.
- 131.9 million inbound tourists in 2024 – China’s international arrival numbers surged 61% and nearly matched pre-pandemic levels.
- In just the first nine months of 2024, 94.6 million inbound visits – showing the recovery speed of China’s open-border tourism.
- 20.1 million foreign visitors entered visa-free in 2024, a dramatic +112% jump thanks to simplified entry policies.
- 60.7 million outbound trips by Chinese travellers in H1 2024 – outbound travel rebounding strongly; spending hit ≈ US$124 billion.
- Chinese travel platforms report that by Q4 2023 outbound users and spending had returned to ~80% of the 2019 level – signalling a near-normalisation of international Chinese travel.
- International visitors to China (≈ 32 million) spent about US$39.7 billion in 2024 – pointing to strong earning potential for China’s inbound segment.
- Visits from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan alone (≈ 105 million) made up about 80% of China’s total inbound tourism – underscoring the dominance of neighbouring-region travel.
How Many Tourists Visit China Each Year?
China received ~62 million international visitors in 2024, nearly doubling from 2023 as borders reopened.
| Year | International Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~145M | Pre-pandemic peak |
| 2020–2021 | ~14–20M | Border closures |
| 2022 | ~28M | Partial reopening |
| 2023 | ~46M | Strong recovery |
| 2024 | ~62M | Travel normalization resumes |
| 2025 (forecast) | ~75–90M | Expected continued rebound |
How Many People Travel Within China? (Domestic Tourism)
China recorded ~6.0 billion domestic trips in 2024.
This number is close to the pre-pandemic peak of ~6.5 billion.
- Domestic tourism revenue 2024: ~¥5.2 trillion CNY (~$720B USD)
- Recovery is driven by high-speed rail, short-haul city tourism, and family trips.
How Much Money Does Tourism Contribute to China’s Economy?
Tourism contributes ~11–12% of China’s GDP when indirect impacts are included.
- Direct tourism revenue 2024: ~¥5.2 trillion CNY
- Industry jobs supported: ~79+ million
Tourism is one of China’s largest cultural and service-sector industries.
Which Countries Visit China the Most?
In 2024, the top source markets were mainly Asian neighbors, followed by Europe and the U.S.
| Country | Visitors (2024 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ~5.3M | Leisure + business |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | ~2.8M | Tourism rebound |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ~2.4M | Business + cultural travel |
| 🇺🇸 United States | ~2.1M | Business + education |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | ~1.9M | Border regions + shopping |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | ~1.8M | Visa-free program impact |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | ~1.6M | City-to-city travel |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~1.3M | Long-haul cultural travel |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~1.1M | Business travel strong |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ~1.0M | Tourism + student visits |
What Are the Most Visited Tourist Attractions in China?
China offers both ancient heritage and futuristic urban centers.
| Attraction | Location | Annual Visitors (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Great Wall (Badaling + Mutianyu) | Beijing | ~17M |
| Forbidden City | Beijing | ~15M |
| Terracotta Army | Xi’an | ~8M |
| Shanghai Bund & Waterfront | Shanghai | ~7M |
| West Lake | Hangzhou | ~7M |
| Zhangjiajie National Park | Hunan | ~5M |
| Summer Palace | Beijing | ~4.5M |
| Chengdu Panda Base | Sichuan | ~3.5M |
| Potala Palace | Tibet | ~3M |
| Guilin & Yangshuo Karst Region | Guangxi | ~2.5M |
When Is the Best Time to Visit China?
Travel demand in China follows major public holidays and seasonal climate differences.
| Season | Demand | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | High | Cherry blossoms, warm weather |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Moderate to High | Family trips, hot & humid |
| National Day Week (Oct 1–7) | Very High peak | Known as “Golden Week” |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | High | Best weather, parks & mountains |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Moderate | Ski resorts growing rapidly |
Most crowded periods: Chinese New Year & Golden Week.
How Do Tourists Travel Within China?
China has one of the most efficient domestic travel systems globally:
| Transport | Notes |
|---|---|
| High-Speed Rail (HSR) | 45,000+ km network, fastest way between major cities |
| Domestic flights | Major cities are 1–3 hours apart |
| Metro systems | 50+ cities with extensive subway networks |
| Ride-hailing | Didi, Meituan, WeChat integrated services |
Which Cities in China Receive the Most Tourists?
| City | Total Visitors (2024 est.) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | ~320M domestic + international | History & culture center |
| Shanghai | ~310M | Business travel + skyline tourism |
| Chengdu | ~230M | Pandas + Sichuan cuisine |
| Xi’an | ~180M | Terracotta Warriors |
| Hangzhou | ~160M | West Lake & tech economy |
| Guangzhou | ~150M | Trade fairs + Canton cuisine |
| Chongqing | ~140M | Mountain megacity |
| Shenzhen | ~135M | Tech hub + Hong Kong proximity |
Note: Domestic volumes in China are extremely large compared to Europe/US.
FAQ — China Tourism Insights
Is China open to international tourism?
Yes — visa-free entry expanded in 2024–2025 for many countries.
Is China affordable for tourists?
Yes — domestic food and transport are inexpensive. Luxury travel is also available.
What is the most visited attraction in China?
The Great Wall (particularly Badaling section).
When is the worst time to travel due to crowds?
Chinese New Year and October Golden Week.
Is English widely spoken?
In major cities yes; less common in smaller regions.
Sources
- State Council Information Office / Ministry of Culture & Tourism (China) — China recorded 5.615 billion domestic trips and 5.75 trillion yuan in spending in 2024
- Ministry of Culture & Tourism (China) — Inbound tourism reached 94.6 million visits in the first three quarters of 2024
- China Tourism Academy (CTA) — Analysis of China’s Tourism Economic Operation in 2024 (seasonality & spend patterns)
- UN Tourism (UNWTO) — World Tourism Barometer 2025 (global and regional inbound recovery context)
- World Bank / UN Tourism — International tourist arrivals – China (historical series)
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) — China Travel & Tourism 2025 outlook (GDP, jobs, spend forecasts)
- WTCF (World Tourism Cities Federation) — Beijing recorded 3.94 million inbound visits in 2024 (+186.8% YoY)
- State Council / Palace Museum (Forbidden City) — 19 million visitors to the Palace Museum in 2019 (pre-pandemic benchmark)
- SCIO (China) — Domestic tourism spending and trip growth—Q1 2025 update
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