China recorded 6.57 billion domestic tourist trips. Domestic tourism revenue reached 5.18 trillion yuan. The statistics below break down these totals along with inbound arrivals, outbound spending, and supporting infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, China's domestic tourist trips reached 6.57 billion, up 14.2% from 2022.
- In 2023, tourism directly contributed 4.43% to China's GDP.
- In 2019, China recorded 145.3 million inbound international tourist arrivals, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase.
- China has over 57,000 travel agencies as of 2023.
- In 2019, Chinese outbound tourists numbered 155 million.
China’s tourism industry shows strong recovery with rising visitor numbers and sustained spending growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Domestic Tourism Statistics24 stats
01
In 2023, China's domestic tourist trips reached 6.57 billion, up 14.2% from 2022.
02
Domestic tourism revenue in China hit 5.18 trillion yuan in 2023, a 17.1% increase YoY.
03
During 2024 Spring Festival holiday, domestic trips totaled 2.51 billion person-times, up 34.6% YoY.
04
In 2019 pre-COVID, domestic tourist trips were 6.0 billion.
05
2023 domestic tourism revenue recovered to 89% of 2019 levels.
06
Hainan domestic tourists numbered 15.6 million during 2024 Spring Festival, up 96.3% YoY.
07
In first half 2023, domestic trips reached 2.9 billion person-times.
08
Beijing saw 25.7 million domestic tourists during 2024 Spring Festival.
09
2023 saw 2.62 billion urban resident domestic trips.
10
During 2024 National Day Golden Week, domestic trips hit 775 million person-times.
11
Shanghai domestic tourists reached 45.8 million in 2023.
12
In 2023, rural tourism trips totaled 3.48 billion person-times.
13
Guangdong had 1.2 billion domestic tourist trips in 2023.
14
During 2023 Summer vacation, domestic trips grew 10.7% to 8.3 million daily average.
15
In H1 2024, domestic tourism revenue reached 3.5 trillion yuan.
16
2023 Labor Day holiday saw 274 million domestic trips, up 11.6% YoY.
17
Hunan province recorded 1.05 billion domestic trips in 2023.
18
In 2024 Q1, domestic trips totaled 1.27 billion person-times.
19
Jiangsu saw 1.1 billion domestic tourists in 2023.
20
During 2024 Dragon Boat Festival, domestic trips reached 102 million person-times.
21
Sichuan province had 920 million domestic trips in 2023.
22
In 2023, family/group domestic travel accounted for 65% of trips.
23
Zhejiang recorded 850 million domestic tourists in 2023.
24
2024 May Day holiday generated 312 million domestic trips.
Interpretation
Domestic Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry has so vigorously shaken off its pandemic slumber that, with a record-breaking 6.57 billion domestic trips in 2023 and holiday figures rocketing past pre-COVID levels, it seems the entire nation is on a permanent, revenue-generating field trip to rediscover its own backyard.
02 · Category
Economic and Financial Statistics20 stats
01
In 2023, tourism directly contributed 4.43% to China's GDP.
02
Total tourism GDP contribution in China was RMB 10.35 trillion in 2023.
03
Tourism employment in China reached 78.18 million jobs in 2023.
04
Inbound tourism revenue was 686.3 billion yuan in 2023.
05
Domestic tourism revenue 5.18 trillion yuan in 2023.
06
Outbound tourism spending by Chinese was estimated at 1.2 trillion yuan in 2023.
07
During 2024 Spring Festival, tourism revenue hit 425.9 billion yuan.
08
2019 total tourism revenue was RMB 6.63 trillion.
09
Tourism investment in China reached RMB 1.7 trillion in 2023.
10
2024 National Day tourism revenue 659.4 billion yuan.
11
Hotel industry revenue grew 18.4% to 408 billion yuan in 2023.
12
Travel agency revenue up 25.1% to 412 billion yuan in 2023.
13
Scenic spots revenue increased 24.4% to 402 billion yuan in 2023.
14
In 2023, tourism tax contributions totaled RMB 1.1 trillion.
15
Average daily tourism revenue during 2024 May Day was 5.8 billion yuan.
16
Cultural tourism revenue share reached 25% of total in 2023.
17
Rural tourism revenue 1.2 trillion yuan in 2023.
18
2024 Dragon Boat Festival tourism revenue 40.7 billion yuan.
19
International tourism exports contributed RMB 1.45 trillion in 2023.
20
Domestic tourism spending per capita was 788 yuan in 2023.
Interpretation
Economic and Financial Statistics Interpretation
While China's outbound tourists show a taste for global exploration, their wallets are overwhelmingly loyal to the domestic market, fueling a colossal economic engine that serves nearly 80 million workers and generates over ten trillion yuan in activity, all while ensuring the taxman enjoys a very scenic view of the balance sheet.
03 · Category
Inbound Tourism Statistics30 stats
01
In 2019, China recorded 145.3 million inbound international tourist arrivals, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase.
02
South Korea was the largest source market for inbound tourists to China in 2019 with 6.02 million visitors.
03
In 2023, inbound tourist arrivals to China reached 35.5 million for the first 10 months, up 193.5% year-on-year.
04
During the 2024 Spring Festival, inbound trips to China hit 16,710, a 113.5% increase from 2023.
05
In H1 2023, China welcomed 11.87 million inbound tourists, recovering to 86.7% of 2019 levels.
06
Visa-free entries to China surged 190.3% year-on-year to 8.52 million in the first 8 months of 2024.
07
In 2022, inbound tourists to China numbered 31.64 million, a sharp decline from 145.3 million in 2019 due to COVID.
08
Japan sent 3.45 million tourists to China in 2019, second to South Korea in inbound market share.
09
In Q1 2024, foreign tourist arrivals in China reached 4.95 million, up 155.8% from Q1 2023.
10
Malaysia topped Southeast Asian inbound markets with 1.2 million visitors to China in 2019.
11
In 2023, Hainan welcomed 1.18 million inbound tourists, a 188.5% increase year-on-year.
12
The US contributed 2.47 million tourists to China in 2019.
13
During 2024 National Day Golden Week, inbound tourists numbered 1.66 million, up 123.7% from 2023.
14
In 2019, Asian countries accounted for 72.1% of China's inbound tourists.
15
Russia sent 2.44 million tourists to China in 2019.
16
In Jan-Aug 2024, 70% of inbound tourists to China were from Asia.
17
Vietnam provided 1.56 million inbound tourists to China in 2019.
18
In 2023 full year, China saw 35.5 million inbound visitors, 24.1% of 2019 levels.
19
Singapore sent 1.08 million tourists to China in 2019.
20
In H1 2024, inbound tourist arrivals grew 125.5% year-on-year to 14.6 million.
21
Thailand contributed 1.02 million visitors to China in 2019.
22
In 2024 Q1-Q3, 46 countries' citizens enjoyed visa-free entry to China, boosting arrivals by 86.6%.
23
Philippines sent 0.95 million tourists to China in 2019.
24
In 2023, Shanghai welcomed 3.3 million inbound tourists.
25
Myanmar provided 0.89 million inbound tourists to China in 2019.
26
In first half 2024, Beijing saw 2.65 million inbound tourists, up 129% YoY.
27
India sent 0.45 million tourists to China in 2019.
28
In 2024 May, inbound tourists to China hit 2.06 million, 152.7% of 2019 May levels.
29
Germany contributed 1.18 million visitors to China in 2019.
30
In 2023, Guangdong province received 4.8 million inbound tourists.
Interpretation
Inbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry, after being forced into a pandemic-induced hibernation, is now roaring back to life with visa-free policies as its espresso shot and Asia as its most enthusiastic fan club.
More related reading
04 · Category
Infrastructure and Policy Statistics20 stats
01
China has over 57,000 travel agencies as of 2023.
02
Total star-rated hotels numbered 13,800 in China end-2023.
03
A-class scenic spots total 2,336 in China as of 2024.
04
High-speed rail network spans 45,000 km supporting tourism in 2024.
05
157 countries have visa-free or simplified entry to China by 2024.
06
Digital payment adoption in tourism reached 95% in 2023.
07
Over 10,000 5A scenic areas developed by 2023.
08
Airport passenger throughput 1.22 billion in 2023 for tourism boost.
09
Rural homestays numbered 320,000 in 2023.
10
72-hour visa-free policy expanded to 54 ports by 2024.
11
Tourism highways total 220,000 km in China 2023.
12
Online tourism platforms users exceed 900 million in 2023.
13
Hainan free trade port tourism policy attracted 20 million visitors 2023.
14
5G coverage in tourist sites reached 80% by 2023.
15
Cultural heritage sites total 5,300 under protection 2024.
16
Green tourism hotels numbered 2,500 in 2023.
17
Mutual visa exemptions with 22 countries by end-2023.
18
Cruise ports operational: 28 in China 2023.
19
Smart tourism cities: 150 designated by 2023.
20
Hotel rooms total 12 million in China 2023.
Interpretation
Infrastructure and Policy Statistics Interpretation
China's tourism industry has constructed a logistical colossus so vast and digitally seamless that it now functions as a national welcoming committee on steroids, ready to process, transport, house, and entertain you from a high-speed rail seat to a rural homestay with a single tap of your phone.
05 · Category
Outbound Tourism Statistics20 stats
01
In 2019, Chinese outbound tourists numbered 155 million.
02
In 2023, outbound trips from China reached 97% of 2019 levels with 130 million.
03
During 2024 Spring Festival, outbound trips hit 10.5 million, up 150% YoY.
04
Japan was top destination for Chinese outbound in 2019 with 9.6 million visitors.
05
In H1 2024, outbound tourists from China grew 120% YoY to 45 million.
06
Thailand received 7.5 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
07
South Korea saw 3.4 million Chinese outbound in 2023.
08
During 2024 National Day, outbound trips reached 2.2 million daily average.
09
Vietnam hosted 3.8 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
10
In 2023, Chinese outbound spending was $150 billion.
11
Singapore welcomed 2.4 million Chinese visitors in 2023.
12
Malaysia received 3.2 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
13
In 2024 Q1, outbound recovery hit 90% of 2019.
14
Australia saw 1.2 million Chinese outbound in 2023.
15
In 2023, 60% of Chinese outbound were to Asia.
16
France hosted 1.1 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
17
During 2024 Summer, outbound to Europe up 200% YoY.
18
Indonesia received 2.1 million Chinese in 2023.
19
In first 8 months 2024, outbound trips 109 million.
20
US welcomed 900,000 Chinese tourists in 2023.
Interpretation
Outbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China's travel industry, like a determined tourist who refuses to let a delayed flight ruin their holiday, is furiously packing its bags to make up for lost time, with its colossal spending power now jetting across Asia and increasingly eyeing Europe.
Reference
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APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). China Tourism Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-tourism-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "China Tourism Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/china-tourism-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "China Tourism Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-tourism-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level