China's tourism industry demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025, with official data revealing double-digit growth across both domestic and international markets. The sustained recovery signals renewed confidence in Asia's largest economy as it continues to play a pivotal role in global travel trends.
Domestic travel reached 6.52 billion trips last year, marking a 16.2% increase from 2024. Chinese tourists spent 6.3 trillion yuan ($883.8 billion) on home soil, reflecting a 9.5% year-on-year rise in domestic tourism expenditure. The figures underscore growing consumer spending power amid stable economic conditions on the Chinese mainland.
International visits surged to 154.5 million in 2025, with 35.17 million foreign travelers contributing to a 39.2% increase in inbound tourism spending, totaling $131.1 billion. Analysts attribute this rebound to streamlined visa policies, with 30.08 million foreign visitors entering through visa-free channels – a 49.5% jump from previous years.
Industry experts suggest these trends position China as both a major destination and source market in global tourism. The sustained growth comes as regional neighbors increasingly align their travel policies with Chinese tourist preferences, creating new opportunities for cross-border economic cooperation.
