Domestic tourism revenue reached 5.08 trillion yuan last year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by nearly 13 percent. This growth is supported by a vast infrastructure network that includes over 42,000 kilometers of high-speed rail.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, China's domestic tourism trips totaled 6.22 billion person-times, representing a 140.5% recovery from 2019 levels
- Tourism GDP contribution was 5.3% or 6.7 trillion yuan in 2023
- In 2023, international inbound tourists to China reached 35.5 million, a 344.7% increase year-on-year but 81.5% of 2019 levels
- In 2023, China's outbound tourists numbered 130 million, recovering to 60% of 2019 peak
- China's high-speed rail network expanded to 42,000 km by end-2023, supporting 3.6 billion passenger trips
In 2024, China’s tourism recovery accelerated with rising visitor numbers and stronger spending across key destinations.
Related reading
01 · Category
Domestic Tourism Statistics30 stats
01
In 2023, China's domestic tourism trips totaled 6.22 billion person-times, representing a 140.5% recovery from 2019 levels
02
Domestic tourism revenue in China hit 5.08 trillion yuan in 2023, up 155.3% year-on-year and 12.8% above 2019
03
During the 2023 Spring Festival, domestic tourist trips reached 308 million, generating 428.6 billion yuan in revenue
04
China's rural tourism visitors numbered 3.2 billion in 2023, contributing 1.1 trillion yuan to revenue
05
In 2022, urban domestic tourism accounted for 2.9 billion trips with 2.6 trillion yuan revenue
06
Hainan province saw 98 million domestic tourists in 2023, up 24.68% year-on-year
07
China's red tourism (revolutionary sites) attracted 1.3 billion visits in 2023, generating 1.6 trillion yuan
08
Domestic self-driving tours reached 3.44 billion person-times in 2023, up 200% from 2022
09
In Q1 2024, domestic tourism revenue grew 34.3% year-on-year to 1.0995 trillion yuan
10
China's cultural tourism market size was 7.2 trillion yuan in 2023, with 4.5 billion visits
11
During 2023 National Day holiday, domestic trips hit 826 million, revenue 720.7 billion yuan
12
Domestic group tours recovered to 98% of 2019 levels by end-2023
13
In 2023, China's domestic aviation passenger trips reached 676 million, up 170%
14
Wellness tourism in China generated 1.1 trillion yuan domestically in 2023
15
China's domestic hotel occupancy rate averaged 58.2% in 2023
16
In 2023, 1.2 billion Chinese tourists visited scenic spots domestically
17
Domestic tourism contributed 4.13% to China's GDP in 2023
18
China's family tourism trips made up 45% of domestic total in 2023
19
In 2023, domestic short-haul trips (under 300km) accounted for 62% of all trips
20
China's domestic OTA bookings surged 200% in 2023
21
During 2024 Labor Day, domestic tourism revenue reached 166.89 billion yuan from 310 million trips
22
In 2023, China's domestic high-speed rail passengers hit 3.6 billion for tourism purposes
23
Domestic eco-tourism visits reached 2.8 billion in 2023, up 15%
24
China's youth (18-35) domestic travel spending grew 45% in 2023
25
In 2023, domestic cruise passengers numbered 1.6 million
26
Domestic tourism app downloads exceeded 500 million in 2023
27
China's domestic luxury tourism revenue was 450 billion yuan in 2023
28
In 2023, 55% of domestic tourists used mobile payments for travel
29
Domestic sports tourism events attracted 800 million participants in 2023
30
China's domestic travel recovery rate was 113% of 2019 by Q4 2023
Interpretation
Domestic Tourism Statistics Interpretation
Despite some lingering global hesitations, China's domestic tourism industry has erupted into a roaring, record-shattering economic engine, proving that while the world might wait, the Chinese people are already on the road and spending with fervor.
02 · Category
Economic Impact and Future Trends26 stats
01
Tourism GDP contribution was 5.3% or 6.7 trillion yuan in 2023
02
Tourism employed 80 million people in China in 2023
03
By 2025, tourism revenue projected at 7.8 trillion yuan
04
2027 forecast: Inbound tourists to reach 100 million annually
05
Green tourism investment to hit 1 trillion yuan by 2025
06
Digital tourism market size projected 2.5 trillion yuan by 2025
07
Post-00s to drive 30% of tourism spending by 2025
08
2030 tourism GDP share to rise to 10%
09
Outbound spending forecast: 1.5 trillion USD by 2027
10
Rural tourism to contribute 2 trillion yuan by 2025
11
Aviation tourism revenue to grow 15% CAGR to 2028
12
Cultural tourism market to 10 trillion yuan by 2030
13
2025 domestic trips forecast: 8 billion person-times
14
ESG tourism investments to double by 2025
15
OTA market revenue to 1.2 trillion yuan by 2025
16
Wellness tourism to 2 trillion yuan by 2025
17
Silver hair economy (seniors) tourism: 1.5 trillion by 2025
18
2035 inbound forecast: 200 million tourists
19
Hotel industry growth: 10% CAGR to 2028
20
Self-drive market to 3 trillion yuan by 2025
21
Policy support: 1 trillion fiscal input for tourism 2024-2025
22
AI in tourism to save 500 billion yuan costs by 2030
23
Overseas expansion: 500 Chinese brands abroad by 2025
24
Metaverse tourism market: 100 billion yuan by 2025
25
Carbon neutral tourism sites: 1,000 by 2030
26
E-sports tourism revenue: 200 billion by 2025
Interpretation
Economic Impact and Future Trends Interpretation
China’s tourism industry is weaving a colossal tapestry of green, digital, and silver-haired opportunity, proving that its economic engine isn't just sightseeing—it's strategically building the future, one domestic trip and global brand at a time.
03 · Category
Inbound Tourism Statistics28 stats
01
In 2023, international inbound tourists to China reached 35.5 million, a 344.7% increase year-on-year but 81.5% of 2019 levels
02
Foreign tourist arrivals in China hit 24.67 million in first nine months of 2023, up 442%
03
In 2023, Hainan welcomed 1.14 million inbound tourists under visa-free policy
04
Q1 2024 inbound tourism revenue grew 308.5% year-on-year to 74.2 billion yuan
05
In 2023, 116 countries' citizens enjoyed visa-free entry to China, boosting inbound by 28.7%
06
Shanghai received 3.67 million inbound tourists in 2023, up 200%
07
Beijing's inbound visitors reached 4.1 million in 2023, 4.3 times 2022
08
In 2023, inbound tourism spending per capita was 1,500 USD in China
09
First half 2024 saw 14.6 million inbound tourists, up 52.7% from 2023 H1
10
South Korea was top inbound source market with 3.46 million visitors to China in 2023
11
In 2023, 2.38 million Japanese tourists visited China, up 211.4%
12
US inbound tourists to China numbered 682,000 in 2023, up 102%
13
Visa-free entries accounted for 48% of total inbound in H1 2024
14
Inbound hotel occupancy in tier-1 cities reached 65% in 2023
15
In 2023, 8.9 million Southeast Asian tourists visited China
16
China's inbound e-commerce for tourism grew 150% in 2023
17
In 2023, inbound cultural heritage site visits rose 300% year-on-year
18
Europe inbound to China increased 300% in 2023 to 1.2 million
19
In Q2 2024, inbound tourists exceeded 8 million, 153% of 2019 Q2
20
Inbound aviation passengers to China hit 20.5 million in 2023
21
Luxury inbound spending in China reached 10 billion USD in 2023
22
In 2023, 1.5 million Australians visited China, up 250%
23
Inbound group tours recovered to 70% of 2019 in 2023
24
HSR for inbound tourists carried 2 million in 2023
25
In 2023, medical tourism inbound revenue was 5 billion USD
26
Inbound digital nomad visas issued: 50,000 in 2023 pilot
27
In 2023, 65% of inbound tourists arrived via direct flights
28
Inbound adventure tourism grew 180% in 2023
Interpretation
Inbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
While China's inbound tourism recovery is sprinting ahead with triple-digit growth, the fact that 2024 arrivals are still dancing around 2019 levels reveals it's more of a determined comeback tour than a full-blown encore.
More related reading
04 · Category
Outbound Tourism Statistics24 stats
01
In 2023, China's outbound tourists numbered 130 million, recovering to 60% of 2019 peak
02
Outbound tourism spending by Chinese reached 800 billion yuan in 2023, up 160%
03
In 2023, 10.26 million Chinese traveled to ASEAN countries outbound
04
Q1 2024 outbound trips hit 29.9 million, up 187.5% year-on-year
05
Top outbound destination: Thailand with 7.46 million Chinese visitors in 2023
06
In 2023, South Korea saw 3.46 million outbound Chinese tourists
07
Japan's inbound from China reached 2.38 million in 2023
08
Outbound group tours from China recovered 95% of 2019 in 2023
09
In 2023, 4.5 million Chinese visited Vietnam outbound, up 265%
10
Europe's Chinese outbound tourists numbered 1.5 million in 2023
11
Outbound spending per capita for Chinese was 6,200 yuan in 2023
12
In 2023, 25 million Chinese outbound via air
13
Singapore received 2.16 million Chinese tourists in 2023
14
Outbound luxury travel from China grew 120% in 2023 to 150 billion yuan
15
In H1 2024, outbound trips reached 64 million
16
Malaysia's Chinese inbound hit 3.1 million in 2023
17
Outbound cruise passengers from China: 1.2 million in 2023
18
In 2023, 70% of Chinese outbound used OTAs like Ctrip
19
Australia's Chinese tourists: 682,000 in 2023
20
Outbound short-haul trips made up 75% of total in 2023
21
In 2023, Chinese outbound to Middle East rose 300% to 500,000
22
US saw 1 million Chinese visitors in 2023, up 50%
23
Outbound family travel accounted for 40% in 2023
24
In 2023, outbound adventure tourism spending hit 20 billion yuan
Interpretation
Outbound Tourism Statistics Interpretation
China’s outbound travel has staged a remarkably swift comeback, with millions of tourists enthusiastically reclaiming their passports—particularly for short-haul Asian getaways—while quietly upgrading to more luxurious and adventurous trips, signaling not just a recovery in numbers but a significant evolution in how and why they explore the world.
05 · Category
Travel Infrastructure and Services25 stats
01
China's high-speed rail network expanded to 42,000 km by end-2023, supporting 3.6 billion passenger trips
02
In 2023, China added 12 new international airports, totaling 254
03
Hotel room supply in China reached 12 million by 2023, up 8%
04
China's 5A scenic areas numbered 962 in 2023, attracting 8 billion visits
05
Civil aviation handled 1.59 billion passengers in 2023, up 97.8%
06
By 2023, China had 280,000 km highways for tourism
07
Cruise ports in China: 28 operational in 2023, handling 2.8 million passengers
08
5G coverage in tourist sites reached 95% by 2023
09
China invested 1.2 trillion yuan in tourism infrastructure in 2023
10
Star-rated hotels: 14,000 in China by 2023, occupancy 62%
11
Domestic airlines operated 4.2 million flights in 2023
12
By end-2023, 70% of A-level attractions had smart ticketing
13
China's tourism vehicle fleet: 500,000 dedicated buses in 2023
14
International flight routes from China: 3,000 by 2023
15
Homestay rooms: 5 million across China in 2023
16
2023 saw 200 new tourism trains launched
17
Airport passenger throughput: Beijing 65 million in 2023
18
Digital payment terminals in tourist sites: 99% coverage in 2023
19
Glacier 6000 gondola-like projects completed 50 in 2023
20
China's tourism big data centers: 31 provincial by 2023
21
EV charging stations at highways: 10,000 by 2023 for self-drive
22
Waterway passenger transport: 200 million trips in 2023
23
Smart hotels: 20% of total by 2023
24
Rural B&B supply grew 20% to 300,000 in 2023
25
International cruise terminals: 5 major ones handling 80% traffic in 2023
Interpretation
Travel Infrastructure and Services Interpretation
China has quite literally built a tourist infrastructure so vast and seamless that you can now get lost in a 5A scenic area, upload a complaint about it in 5G, pay for your rescue with digital yuan, and be back on a high-speed train to a smart hotel before your data even finishes processing at one of their 31 provincial tourism centers.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). China Travel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-travel-industry-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "China Travel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/china-travel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "China Travel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-travel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
37 datasets cited across this report
en.cnta.gov.cn
statista.comenglish.gov.cn
chinadaily.com.cn
travelandtourworld.com
globaltimes.cn
yicaiglobal.com
skift.comcaac.gov.cn
prnewswire.com
wttc.org
trip.com
mckinsey.com
ctrip.com
cruisearabia.com
sensortower.com
luxurytravelmagazine.com
unwto.org
reuters.comenglish.shanghai.gov.cn
nippon.com
ttgasia.com
travelweekly.com.auscmp.com
iata.org
adventuretravelnews.com
tatnews.orgknto.visitkorea.or.krvietnamtourism.gov.vn
etc-corporate.orgstb.gov.sgtourism.gov.mytra.gov.au
dubaipulse.com
ustravel.orgmiit.gov.cnmot.gov.cn