Legendary sacred mount Kailash from lakeside of holy Lake Manasarovar. Ngari scenery in West Tibet. Sacred place for Buddha pupils making piligrimage in Asia. Place of prayer, calm and meditationAfter years of limited mobility and strained connectivity, tourism between India and China is witnessing a steady revival. The resumption of visas and direct flights, along with renewed pilgrimage routes and expanding travel offerings, signals a new chapter in people-to-people exchanges between the two Asian giants.
Last year marked a significant turning point when India began re-issuing visas to Chinese travellers, including reopening e-visas after nearly five years. Around the same time, flight services between the two countries resumed, restoring crucial air links that had been suspended during the pandemic and subsequent geopolitical tensions. Air India has further strengthened this revival with plans to resume non-stop operations to mainland China, including flights to Shanghai from February 2026.
This revival comes amid broader growth in regional aviation. According to industry reports, India, China, and Southeast Asia are driving a new wave of air travel expansion, reflecting both pent-up demand and strengthening economic linkages. As connectivity improves, tourism is emerging as a vital pillar in rebuilding trust and cooperation.
Didihat is rich in flora and fauna offering picturesque views of verdant valley surrounded by attractive ridges. It is situated on the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar.
Spiritual Tourism: A Bridge of Trust
Spiritual and cultural heritage tourism is playing a particularly important role in reconnecting the two nations. Buddhism remains one of the strongest historical links between India and China, dating back over two millennia through the Silk Route exchanges.
The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya — where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment — continues to be a key pilgrimage destination for Chinese Buddhists. Nearby sacred sites such as Nalanda, Rajgir, and Vaishali also draw visitors seeking deeper spiritual engagement. The reopening of travel channels is expected to significantly boost footfall to these destinations.
In a reciprocal gesture, China has reopened the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra route to Indian pilgrims after a prolonged hiatus. Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar hold immense spiritual significance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon practitioners, and the reopening has been widely welcomed in India.
Spiritual tourism, therefore, is not merely about travel — it represents a cultural bridge capable of rebuilding trust and reviving civilizational connections that transcend contemporary political complexities.
Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Temple
Expanding Leisure and Cultural Circuits
Beyond pilgrimage tourism, leisure travel between India and China is also gaining renewed momentum, supported by improved connectivity, eased visa norms and growing interest in experiential travel.
For Indian travellers, China’s classic landmarks remain strong draws. Shanghai’s futuristic skyline and the iconic Bund waterfront offer a blend of heritage and hyper-modernity, while Beijing’s Great Wall and Forbidden City continue to represent the country’s imperial grandeur. Xi’an’s Terracotta Army provides a powerful historical experience, appealing to culturally curious Indian travellers.
At the same time, newer destinations are capturing attention. Chongqing — often described as a dramatic “5D city” — is emerging as a favourite for its cyberpunk-style skyline, elevated highways, cliffside architecture and LED-lit river cruises. Chengdu attracts visitors with its Giant Panda reserves, vibrant teahouse culture and globally celebrated Sichuan cuisine. Meanwhile, Zhangjiajie’s mystical quartz-sandstone peaks, glass bridges and mountain elevators — landscapes that inspired the film Avatar — are becoming popular among adventure seekers and photographers.
Crowds of tourists take pictures with the giant panda statue at Dujiangyanshui Culture Square in Chengdu, China
Indian travel companies are responding to this renewed demand by launching expanded China holiday portfolios that include curated itineraries, culinary trails and multi-city cultural experiences. The focus is shifting beyond traditional sightseeing to immersive journeys that combine heritage, gastronomy, shopping and contemporary urban culture.
On the Indian side, Chinese leisure travellers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. While the Taj Mahal remains a bucket-list attraction, there is growing interest in India’s diverse cultural offerings — from Rajasthan’s palace stays and handicrafts to Kerala’s wellness retreats and Himalayan scenic escapes. Shopping, jewellery, textiles, tea experiences and regional cuisine are emerging as key spending areas, benefiting local businesses and artisans.
The revival of leisure circuits is particularly significant for local economies. Chinese tourists have historically been high-spending travellers, contributing not only to hotel occupancy and attractions, but also to retail, dining and cultural entertainment sectors. Their gradual return promises multiplier effects across tourism value chains.
As airlines expand capacity and tour operators introduce innovative products, leisure tourism is becoming an important complement to spiritual travel. Together, these expanding cultural circuits are strengthening people-to-people connections — transforming tourism into a practical and symbolic bridge between India and China in a new phase of engagement.
For India and China, the gradual normalisation of ties is partly motivated by the current geopolitical situation that has transformed global trade equations. China remains India’s largest source of merchandise imports. India-China bilateral trade touched a record high of $155.6 billion in 2025, registering year-on-year growth of more than 12 per cent
