Tourism statisticsCountry2026
China Tourism Statistics: 131.9M Inbound Visits in 2024
China recorded 131.9 million inbound visits in 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics of China reports. AirROI estimates 21,614 Airbnb stays in China in the 12 months to October 2026, with Kowloon the most booked city. The busiest month was March.
Small sample Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 149,863
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 6.9 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- March
- From abroad, among guests who left a review
- 90%
Key facts
China Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- The National Bureau of Statistics of China puts China at 131.9 million inbound visits in 2024.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in China at 21,614 in the 12 months to October 2026, from a small sample.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in China added up to 149,863 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in China lasted 6.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 40 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks March the busiest Airbnb month in China in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by April and February, with December the quietest.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb in China had no single high season in the 12 months to October 2026: the three busiest months were March, April and February.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in China in November were booked furthest ahead, about 217 days, against 29 days for March, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 90% of China Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 came from abroad, led by the United States at 15% and the Philippines at 9.9%.
By place
- AirROI ranks China 17th for Airbnb stays among Asia's 33 countries in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Kowloon had the most Airbnb stays of the 2 towns it lists in China in the 12 months to October 2026, at 15,927, ahead of Hong Kong Island.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit China?
The National Bureau of Statistics of China counted 131.9 million inbound visits in 2024.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 131.9 millionInbound visits | Inbound visits counted by the National Bureau of Statistics: 26.9 million by foreigners and 105.0 million by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, including same-day trips, so not comparable with overnight arrival counts | 2024 | National Bureau of Statistics of China |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in China
China had 1,406 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 21,614 stays and 149,863 nights. A typical stay lasted 6.9 nights and was booked about 40 days ahead, longer than the worldwide stay of 5.2 nights. AirROI's figures cover the 3 towns it tracks in China; places it does not track are not counted, so every total is a floor.
- Airbnb homes
- 1,406
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 21,614
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 149,863
- Typical stay
- 6.9 nights
- Booked ahead
- 40 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in China?
On Airbnb, March was the busiest month in China in the 12 months to October 2026, then April and February. December was the quietest. The busiest months do not sit together, so there is no single high season.
March ranks first, December last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: March, April, February, August, January, September, May, July, June, November, October, December.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| March | 10.0% | 29 days |
| April | 9.6% | 38 days |
| February | 9.5% | 33 days |
| August | 9.4% | 34 days |
| January | 9.1% | 36 days |
| September | 8.7% | 34 days |
| May | 8.4% | 35 days |
| July | 7.9% | 42 days |
| June | 7.8% | 32 days |
| November | 6.9% | 217 days |
| October | 6.7% | 189 days |
| December | 5.9% | 52 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do China Airbnb Guests Come From?
Among China Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 90% came from abroad, led by the United States at 15% and the Philippines at 9.9%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, London was the top origin city at 3.2%, ahead of New York at 2.1%. The figures rest on 91,032 reviews, written over many years.
90% from abroad
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From abroad 90%
- From within China 10%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
By town
Most Booked Towns in China
March is the busiest Airbnb month in all 2 towns. Among guests who left a review, the share from abroad across these towns runs from 89% in Kowloon to 94% in Hong Kong Island.
| Kowloon | 15,927 |
| Hong Kong Island | 4,724 |
* Among guests who left a review. Stays, nights and other figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, and cover Airbnb only. US is the top origin in every town, among guests who left a review. Lists the 2 of China's 3 towns with 100 or more Airbnb homes. A town with no tourism page of its own links to its Airbnb market page.
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in China
How many tourists visit China?
China had 131.9 million inbound visits in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. AirROI estimates 21,614 Airbnb stays in China in the 12 months to October 2026, which is a separate count of bookings.
When is high season in China?
The busiest Airbnb month in China in the 12 months to October 2026 was March, then April and February.
What is the quietest month in China?
December was the quietest Airbnb month in China in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and October ranked 11th. Stays in December were booked about 52 days ahead, against 217 days for November.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in China?
A typical Airbnb stay in China lasted 6.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 40 days ahead. That is longer than the worldwide 5.2 nights. By month, stays ran from 5.0 nights in May to 8.1 nights in November.
Where do Airbnb guests in China come from?
Of China Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 90% came from abroad, AirROI estimates. The largest groups were the United States at 15% and the Philippines at 9.9%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was London at 3.2%, ahead of New York at 2.1%.
What is the most booked town in China on Airbnb?
Kowloon was the most booked town in China on Airbnb, with an estimated 15,927 stays in the 12 months to October 2026, ahead of Hong Kong Island.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. The National Bureau of Statistics of China counts inbound visits (131.9 million in 2024). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 21,614 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights add up each town's stays times its typical stay, across 3 towns. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 91,032 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.