India Reopens Doors to Chinese Tourists After Five Years

India has officially reopened its tourism market to Chinese travellers, ending a five-year suspension that began after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The move is being hailed as a strategic step to revive one of India’s most profitable inbound markets and strengthen bilateral travel ties.

The suspension, imposed in June 2020 following border tensions in Ladakh, abruptly halted a steady flow of Chinese visitors who had long contributed significantly to India’s tourism economy. Now, with visa services reinstated in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, applications are once again being accepted — a change already prompting activity among tour operators.

Travel agencies across India are tailoring itineraries to appeal to Chinese interests, focusing on Buddhist pilgrimage routes and the iconic Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These packages combine world-famous landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal, with heritage sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, tapping into deep cultural and spiritual connections.

Chinese Tourism In Numbers: Before And After
Chinese arrivals in 2019: 3.4 lakh. Arrivals in 2023: Just over 30,000. Top destinations: Delhi, Mumbai, Agra (Taj Mahal), Bodh Gaya, Jaipur. Estimated spend per tourist: Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Before the suspension, Chinese tourists were a powerful force in India’s inbound travel industry, generating substantial revenue for hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local guides, from major cities to rural destinations. The five-year absence left a gap that domestic tourism alone could not fill.

The reopening follows other signs of warming ties, including China’s 2022 resumption of visas for Indian nationals and the March 2025 agreement to restart direct passenger flights. While industry analysts caution that returning to pre-2020 arrival numbers will take time, they see the policy shift as a crucial first step.

India’s tourism authorities are now preparing targeted promotions to rebuild Chinese traveller confidence, spotlighting safety, hospitality and unique cultural experiences. The aim is to position India as a preferred long-haul destination for China’s recovering outbound travel market, alongside other Asian hotspots.

For local economies, the return of Chinese visitors promises a welcome boost, not just in sightseeing revenue but also in shopping, gastronomy and multi-day cultural tours. If successfully revived, this market could once again fuel job creation, infrastructure growth and cross-cultural exchange, making the reopening more than a diplomatic gesture, but a potentially transformative economic opportunity.