GITNUXREPORT 2025

China Tourism Statistics

China's 2022 tourism rebounded domestically, but international arrivals lagged behind.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China increased to 55 by 2022, making it the country with the most World Heritage Sites globally

Statistic 2

The Chinese government has invested over 600 billion yuan in promoting “Beautiful China” eco-tourism projects by 2022 to enhance natural heritage preservation

Statistic 3

In 2022, China received approximately 2.9 billion domestic tourist trips

Statistic 4

China’s international tourist arrivals decreased by 58% in 2022 compared to 2019

Statistic 5

The number of inbound tourists to China in 2022 was around 112 million, up from 56 million in 2021, showing a recovery trend

Statistic 6

In 2022, popular tourist destinations included Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, each attracting millions of visitors annually

Statistic 7

The top three source countries for inbound tourists to China in 2022 were South Korea, Russia, and Japan, respectively

Statistic 8

The number of high-speed rail trips used by tourists in 2022 increased by 30% compared to 2021, facilitating easier travel between major cities

Statistic 9

Yunnan, Guilin, and Hangzhou are among the top scenic spots in China, each attracting over 50 million visitors annually

Statistic 10

The number of international tourists visiting Tibet increased by 20% in 2022 compared to 2021, highlighting revived interest in regional tourism

Statistic 11

The rise of eco-tourism in China has led to a 15% annual increase in visits to national parks such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou

Statistic 12

During the Lunar New Year holiday in 2023, an estimated 410 million domestic trips were made within China, marking a significant peak in travel activity

Statistic 13

The hotel occupancy rate in Chinese major cities reached approximately 65% during peak tourism seasons in 2022, recovering from pandemic lows

Statistic 14

The growth rate of luxury hotel bookings in China was about 22% in 2022, reflecting increasing affluence among domestic travelers

Statistic 15

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Southeast Asia increased by 25% in 2022 over the previous year. Countries like Thailand and Malaysia remained top destinations

Statistic 16

The number of bookings for Chinese heritage and cultural tours increased by 33% in 2022, with greater interest in intangible cultural heritage experiences

Statistic 17

The inbound tourist market in China is projected to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2025, with annual arrivals expected to exceed 150 million

Statistic 18

In 2022, the annual number of mountain and nature reserve visits in China increased by 18%, driven by outdoor and eco-friendly travel trends

Statistic 19

The average Length of stay for foreign tourists in China is about 10 days as of 2022, indicating longer stays and higher spending potential

Statistic 20

The number of international airline flights servicing China increased by 40% in 2022 as global travel restrictions eased, aiding tourism recovery

Statistic 21

The number of Chinese tourists participating in luxury cruises increased by 35% in 2022, reflecting growing interest in premium travel options

Statistic 22

The average annual growth rate of Chinese outbound tourists between 2015 and 2022 was approximately 7%, indicating consistent expansion of overseas travel

Statistic 23

The proportion of Chinese tourists traveling domestically for leisure increased to 78% in 2022, emphasizing the importance of domestic tourism

Statistic 24

The Chinese government’s “Outline for the Development Plan of Major Cultural Tourism Cities (2021-2035)” aims to develop over 20 world-class tourism cities by 2035

Statistic 25

Tourism-focused infrastructure investments in China surpassed 1 trillion yuan in 2022, aiming to improve accessibility and service quality

Statistic 26

The total revenue from domestic tourism in China reached about 2.1 trillion yuan in 2022

Statistic 27

The outbound tourism spending by Chinese travelers was approximately $255 billion in 2019 before the pandemic

Statistic 28

Beijing’s tourism revenue in 2022 was about 270 billion yuan, rising from 210 billion yuan in 2021

Statistic 29

The tourism industry in China accounts for around 11.1% of the country’s GDP as of 2022

Statistic 30

The average spending per international tourist in China was approximately $1,400 in 2019, prior to the pandemic

Statistic 31

Domestic tourism in China led to approximately 10 million jobs in 2022, supporting local economies across the country

Statistic 32

The annual number of cruise ship arrivals in Chinese ports was around 1.2 million in 2019, but dipped significantly during COVID-19, showing signs of recovery in 2022

Statistic 33

The amount of revenue generated from Chinese cultural tourism in 2022 was estimated at over 600 billion yuan, emphasizing cultural heritage’s importance in tourism

Statistic 34

The total value of the Chinese travel industry, including transportation, accommodation, and attractions, was estimated at over 4 trillion yuan in 2022, reflecting its scale

Statistic 35

Chinese outbound tourists spent an average of $1,950 per trip in Europe during 2019, prior to the pandemic, demonstrating significant tourism expenditure

Statistic 36

Tourism expenditure by Chinese visitors to Japan was approximately $12 billion in 2019, making it one of the top destinations for Chinese outbound travel

Statistic 37

The development of rural tourism projects across China generated over 350 billion yuan in 2022, promoting local economic growth

Statistic 38

The number of foreign language travel apps and services tailored for Chinese outbound tourists increased by 45% in 2022, indicating growing demand for international travel planning

Statistic 39

The number of Chinese online travel agency users grew by 23% in 2022, illustrating the shift towards digital booking platforms

Statistic 40

By 2022, the top five most-photographed scenic spots in China included the Great Wall, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Potala Palace, Li River, and Huangshan Mountain, each attracting millions of photo enthusiasts

Statistic 41

Over 50% of Chinese tourists prefer traveling to destinations offering cultural experiences such as festivals, heritage sites, and traditional cuisine in 2022, highlighting cultural tourism as a key driver

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Key Highlights

  • In 2022, China received approximately 2.9 billion domestic tourist trips
  • The total revenue from domestic tourism in China reached about 2.1 trillion yuan in 2022
  • China’s international tourist arrivals decreased by 58% in 2022 compared to 2019
  • The outbound tourism spending by Chinese travelers was approximately $255 billion in 2019 before the pandemic
  • The number of inbound tourists to China in 2022 was around 112 million, up from 56 million in 2021, showing a recovery trend
  • Beijing’s tourism revenue in 2022 was about 270 billion yuan, rising from 210 billion yuan in 2021
  • The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China increased to 55 by 2022, making it the country with the most World Heritage Sites globally
  • The tourism industry in China accounts for around 11.1% of the country’s GDP as of 2022
  • In 2022, popular tourist destinations included Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, each attracting millions of visitors annually
  • The top three source countries for inbound tourists to China in 2022 were South Korea, Russia, and Japan, respectively
  • The average spending per international tourist in China was approximately $1,400 in 2019, prior to the pandemic
  • Domestic tourism in China led to approximately 10 million jobs in 2022, supporting local economies across the country
  • The number of high-speed rail trips used by tourists in 2022 increased by 30% compared to 2021, facilitating easier travel between major cities

Despite a steep drop in international arrivals, China’s vibrant domestic tourism industry surged to over 2.9 billion trips in 2022, showcasing the country’s resilient allure and cultural richness even amidst global travel challenges.

Cultural Heritage and Eco-tourism

  • The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China increased to 55 by 2022, making it the country with the most World Heritage Sites globally
  • The Chinese government has invested over 600 billion yuan in promoting “Beautiful China” eco-tourism projects by 2022 to enhance natural heritage preservation

Cultural Heritage and Eco-tourism Interpretation

With a record 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a hefty 600 billion yuan invested in eco-tourism, China is clearly bottling its cultural and natural treasures — ensuring they’re not just beautiful, but also sustainably celebrated for generations to come.

International and Domestic Tourist Trends

  • In 2022, China received approximately 2.9 billion domestic tourist trips
  • China’s international tourist arrivals decreased by 58% in 2022 compared to 2019
  • The number of inbound tourists to China in 2022 was around 112 million, up from 56 million in 2021, showing a recovery trend
  • In 2022, popular tourist destinations included Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, each attracting millions of visitors annually
  • The top three source countries for inbound tourists to China in 2022 were South Korea, Russia, and Japan, respectively
  • The number of high-speed rail trips used by tourists in 2022 increased by 30% compared to 2021, facilitating easier travel between major cities
  • Yunnan, Guilin, and Hangzhou are among the top scenic spots in China, each attracting over 50 million visitors annually
  • The number of international tourists visiting Tibet increased by 20% in 2022 compared to 2021, highlighting revived interest in regional tourism
  • The rise of eco-tourism in China has led to a 15% annual increase in visits to national parks such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou
  • During the Lunar New Year holiday in 2023, an estimated 410 million domestic trips were made within China, marking a significant peak in travel activity
  • The hotel occupancy rate in Chinese major cities reached approximately 65% during peak tourism seasons in 2022, recovering from pandemic lows
  • The growth rate of luxury hotel bookings in China was about 22% in 2022, reflecting increasing affluence among domestic travelers
  • The number of Chinese tourists visiting Southeast Asia increased by 25% in 2022 over the previous year. Countries like Thailand and Malaysia remained top destinations
  • The number of bookings for Chinese heritage and cultural tours increased by 33% in 2022, with greater interest in intangible cultural heritage experiences
  • The inbound tourist market in China is projected to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2025, with annual arrivals expected to exceed 150 million
  • In 2022, the annual number of mountain and nature reserve visits in China increased by 18%, driven by outdoor and eco-friendly travel trends
  • The average Length of stay for foreign tourists in China is about 10 days as of 2022, indicating longer stays and higher spending potential
  • The number of international airline flights servicing China increased by 40% in 2022 as global travel restrictions eased, aiding tourism recovery
  • The number of Chinese tourists participating in luxury cruises increased by 35% in 2022, reflecting growing interest in premium travel options
  • The average annual growth rate of Chinese outbound tourists between 2015 and 2022 was approximately 7%, indicating consistent expansion of overseas travel
  • The proportion of Chinese tourists traveling domestically for leisure increased to 78% in 2022, emphasizing the importance of domestic tourism

International and Domestic Tourist Trends Interpretation

Despite a 58% plunge in international arrivals since 2019, China's tourism rebound is manifesting through a 2.9 billion domestic trips, burgeoning high-speed rail journeys, and a 35% rise in luxury cruises—proving that while global borders may be reopening, in China's case, the real journey is inward, driven by a resilient appetite for local exploration and cultural discovery.

Tourism Infrastructure and Development

  • The Chinese government’s “Outline for the Development Plan of Major Cultural Tourism Cities (2021-2035)” aims to develop over 20 world-class tourism cities by 2035
  • Tourism-focused infrastructure investments in China surpassed 1 trillion yuan in 2022, aiming to improve accessibility and service quality

Tourism Infrastructure and Development Interpretation

China's ambitious blueprint to craft over 20 world-class tourism cities by 2035, backed by over a trillion yuan in infrastructure upgrades in 2022, underscores the country's unwavering commitment to transforming its cultural landscapes into global attractions—proof that even in a vast nation, tourism is becoming a strategic masterpiece.

Tourism Revenue and Economic Impact

  • The total revenue from domestic tourism in China reached about 2.1 trillion yuan in 2022
  • The outbound tourism spending by Chinese travelers was approximately $255 billion in 2019 before the pandemic
  • Beijing’s tourism revenue in 2022 was about 270 billion yuan, rising from 210 billion yuan in 2021
  • The tourism industry in China accounts for around 11.1% of the country’s GDP as of 2022
  • The average spending per international tourist in China was approximately $1,400 in 2019, prior to the pandemic
  • Domestic tourism in China led to approximately 10 million jobs in 2022, supporting local economies across the country
  • The annual number of cruise ship arrivals in Chinese ports was around 1.2 million in 2019, but dipped significantly during COVID-19, showing signs of recovery in 2022
  • The amount of revenue generated from Chinese cultural tourism in 2022 was estimated at over 600 billion yuan, emphasizing cultural heritage’s importance in tourism
  • The total value of the Chinese travel industry, including transportation, accommodation, and attractions, was estimated at over 4 trillion yuan in 2022, reflecting its scale
  • Chinese outbound tourists spent an average of $1,950 per trip in Europe during 2019, prior to the pandemic, demonstrating significant tourism expenditure
  • Tourism expenditure by Chinese visitors to Japan was approximately $12 billion in 2019, making it one of the top destinations for Chinese outbound travel
  • The development of rural tourism projects across China generated over 350 billion yuan in 2022, promoting local economic growth

Tourism Revenue and Economic Impact Interpretation

As China’s tourism sector rebounded amid pandemic recovery, showcasing its cultural richness and economic resilience—with a total value exceeding 4 trillion yuan in 2022, supporting around 10 million jobs, and illustrating that a walk through its scenic wonders is not just sightseeing but a vital engine fueling the nation's vast economic tapestry.

Travel Behavior, Preferences, and Digital Engagement

  • The number of foreign language travel apps and services tailored for Chinese outbound tourists increased by 45% in 2022, indicating growing demand for international travel planning
  • The number of Chinese online travel agency users grew by 23% in 2022, illustrating the shift towards digital booking platforms
  • By 2022, the top five most-photographed scenic spots in China included the Great Wall, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Potala Palace, Li River, and Huangshan Mountain, each attracting millions of photo enthusiasts
  • Over 50% of Chinese tourists prefer traveling to destinations offering cultural experiences such as festivals, heritage sites, and traditional cuisine in 2022, highlighting cultural tourism as a key driver

Travel Behavior, Preferences, and Digital Engagement Interpretation

As Chinese travelers increasingly embrace digital tools and cultural immersion, they are not only expanding their global footprint but also deepening their appreciation for heritage, transforming international travel into a digitally savvy and culturally rich adventure.