Russian tourists are increasingly traveling to the Chinese resort island of Hainan not just for the beach but for shopping, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).
ATOR said Russians are showing growing interest in the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex, which houses large shopping centers selling electronics, clothing, cosmetics and international brand goods.
Higher Duty-Free Limits
Since the start of 2026, duty-free shopping allowances for foreign tourists on the island have expanded. The purchase limit per visitor is now 100,000 yuan, or roughly 1.2 million rubles.
Hainan's department of culture and tourism said prices on some goods at the resort are lower than in Russia, which is why shopping is increasingly becoming part of tourists' vacation plans there.
Visitor Numbers Rise Sharply
Song Shi, a representative of the international cooperation department at Hainan's department of culture and tourism, said the island received 446,000 Russian visitors between January and July 2026. That marks a 69 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025.
ATOR had previously reported that China ranks among the top five destinations for Russian tourists, with demand rising after China introduced a visa-free entry regime for Russians in mid-September.
